Fusioni & Acquisizioni

🎭 MSC unveils new office in Milan, targeting Northern Italy's medium-high market. CEO Gianni Onorato and VP Leonardo Massa reveal MSC Cruises' aim to reach 5 million passengers by 2025. A new ship launches in Miami in April next year, while the third Explora luxury vessel joins the fleet by end of 2025. Italian cruises grew from 200,000 passengers in 2000 to 1.2 million in 2023. Over 100,000 Italians are expected to cruise the Mediterranean this winter.

🛫 London Stansted Airport aims to increase its passenger volume to 51 million per year by 2040, up from the current 48 million, without increasing the number of allowed flights. This growth is expected to be achieved through the use of larger aircraft. The plan follows a recently announced five-year £1.1 billion investment program.

🏖 Preferred Hotels & Resorts announces 24 new affiliations including three in Italy, across Val d'Aosta, Piemonte, and Toscana. Grand Hotel Courmayeur Mont Blanc joins the L.V.X. Collection with 72 rooms and suites, featuring a 460 sqm spa. Castello dal Pozzo Resort in Piemonte, part of the Lifestyle Collection, boasts 46 rooms with Lake Maggiore views. Hotel Number Nine in Florence offers 40 locally-inspired rooms. The group spans 14 countries, enhancing the global portfolio of luxury independent hotels.

✈ Lufthansa will take over Ita Airways in January, with an initial 41% stake valued at €325 million, potentially reaching 90% by end of 2025. The European Commission approved the deal. Next steps include a shareholders' meeting, capital increase, and the appointment of a new board with two Lufthansa representatives, leading to a new president from Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance and a CEO endorsed by Lufthansa.

📍 La famiglia Hidalgo ha investito 65 milioni di euro in Air Europa per salvare la compagnia, anticipando la decisione di IAG, secondo azionista. Nel 2023, Air Europa ha registrato utili per 165 milioni di euro ma un patrimonio netto consolidato negativo di 455,3 milioni di euro e debiti superiori a 600 milioni di euro. Il salvataggio statale di 475 milioni deve essere rimborsato entro il 2026.

📆 Ávoris, a Spanish group, is downsizing by discontinuing its tour operator Joliday and transferring its activities to Travelplan. Joliday offered trips to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Cuba, including flights and local experiences. This move is part of a reorganization strategy to streamline the brand portfolio while strengthening Travelplan.

🛫 Air France-KLM is in talks for an investment in Air Europa, controlled 80% by the Hidalgo family. The investment could be for up to 20% of the capital, mirroring the strategy used with SAS to avoid lengthy EU Commission approval times. The exact investment figure remains undisclosed but is suggested to exceed €100 million, the amount previously invested by IAG for their 20% stake. Air France-KLM confirmed ongoing commercial discussions.

🏡 Lupaia, a luxury relais with 12 rooms set in the hills of Turrita di Siena, has joined the Autentico Hotels brand as its fifth location in the region. Celebrated at the DUCO Travel Summit 2024, Lupaia garnered the Most Charming Hotel in Italy award and the Michelin Key, highlighting exceptional hospitality. Opened in 2016 by Austrians Heidi and Christopher Mueller, the hotel's rooms feature stone fireplaces, vintage washbasins, and private gardens. Mario Cardone, CEO of Autentico Hospitality, expressed pride in adding Lupaia to their 20-property collection.

🏆 Switzerland focuses on the Italian market with tourism initiatives, including an ice skating rink in Milan and a promotional event at Rinascente in Rome. Italy ranks as Switzerland's fifth-largest market, aiming to promote the winter season, which is vital for tourism. Christina Glaeser, the Director for Italy of Switzerland Tourism, highlights the successful autumn in 2024. The average Swiss visitor from Italy is 45 years old, with one-third traveling with family.

🛩 Russia admits that 34 of its 66 A320 and A321neo aircraft are grounded due to lack of spare parts amid Western sanctions following the start of the war in Ukraine. Moscovite newspaper Kommersant reported the issue, which particularly affects engines, often made by American brand Pratt & Whitney. S7, Russia's main private airline, has grounded 31 of its 39 A320 or A321neo planes, aged between three and seven years.