Marco Messalla/ROME
Italy's independent ground-handling companies have complained to the European Commission's (EC) competition directorate about the Government's failure to implement EC rules on the liberalisation of ground-handling services.
They claim the Government has introduced its own ground-handling legislation instead of making the EC's directive law, to the extent, says one source, that the new legislation "-goes in the opposite direction" of liberalisation.
Italian flag carrier Alitalia has thrown its weight behind the complaint, having established a subsidiary, Alitalia Airport Services, which brings together all of its ground-handling operations in Italy and abroad. The airline has also formed a joint venture with Milan's airport authority, SEA, to offer handling services to Alitalia and others at Malpensa Airport.
The complaints are: new entrants are required by the Government to apply the same working contract as that used by the incumbent ground handlers; there are strict limitations on ramp handling services that can be offered; there are no rules for selecting new entrants; there is no limit on royalties and fees charged by airport operators on ground-handling companies; and limits remain on airlines' rights to provide their own ground services.
Source: Flight International