ALITALIA IS understood to be preparing to wet-lease further Boeing 767s, unless its pilots agree to accept a package of concessions on wages and working practices.
The Italian carrier has already leased two 767s, together with crews from Ansett Worldwide Air Services (AWAS) to fly on transatlantic routes. Costs are expected to be 30-35% cheaper than existing operations. Sources in Italy say that the experiment could be extended.
The Alitalia plan is believed to include leasing at least another six-to-eight aircraft to be used on further US routes and services to Asia. The carrier has agreed to use its own pilots on the aircraft, but only if they agree to the restructuring deal.
The carrier's pilots are holding out for wage rises worth around L14 million ($8,500) a year in return for productivity gains, but this has been flatly rejected by the airline's management. The battle resulted in a strike on 18 January by one of the two pilots' unions. Further action is threatened.
Source: Flight International
