Giuridico e Amministrativo

🚀 MSC and its founder Gianluigi Aponte, in collaboration with Blackrock and other investors, have recently acquired ports on the Panama Canal from Hong Kong's CK Hutchison. Aponte joined Blackrock-led syndicate, aiming to influence the development of targeted enterprises, reflecting his potential interest in the international tour operating market, including the Alpitour operation. However, negotiations with Alpitour have stalled, despite the airline Neos being a key attraction for Aponte. MSC and Blackrock have previously co-invested in Italo, suggesting future joint ventures. MSC's expansion is expected to continue for at least the next two years.

✈ Indonesia Airlines, owned by Calypte Holding Pte. Ltd, a Singapore-based company, is set to focus on premium service and international connections. Based at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten province, the airline will start with 20 aircraft, including 10 narrow-body planes like the Airbus A321neo or A321LR and 10 wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9. Planning to serve 48 destinations in 30 countries within the first five years, feasibility studies are ongoing, and the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation reveals that PT Indonesia Airlines Group (INA) has yet to request an air operator certificate.

📍 Italy secures three top spots among the world's best airports, with a surprise fourth win for Turin, as per the 2024 Airport Service Quality report by Aci World and Amadeus, surveying 700,000 passengers across 360 airports. Rome Fiumicino wins in the hub category for over 40 million passengers, ranking first in quality of personnel, ease of transit, pleasantness, and cleanliness. Milan's Linate takes the lead for 5-15 million passengers, while Ciampino tops for 2-5 million. Spain dominates small airports under 2 million, with 5 in the top 6. Copenhagen, Palma de Mallorca, and Zurich lead the 25-40 million category. Morocco's Casablanca and Marrakech are Africa's best, while the US and Mexico command North and Latin America respectively.

🍝 Consumer habits solidified during the pandemic, such as take away and delivery, lead to a cautious spending approach due to ongoing inflation. Food service spending in countries like Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and the UK has rebounded to pre-Covid levels, rising from €309 billion in 2019 to €336 billion (+9%). However, visits to food outlets have not fully recovered, with full-service restaurants seeing a 2.7% decline, whereas fast-food services remain stable. Home delivery spending surged from €16 billion in 2019 to €37 billion, supported by the continued trend of remote or hybrid work. Immediate consumption meals account for 37% of Europe's €888 billion Food & Beverage expenditure. Retail channels, which grew from 21% in 2021 to 23% in 2024, are increasingly challenging traditional fast food with fresh and ready meal options. France leads in consumer out-of-home spending within retail at 6.8%, a 17.5% increase, followed by the UK (6.6%), Germany (5.8%), Spain (4.2%), and Italy (3.5%), particularly for ready-to-eat meals geared towards lunch (+9%).

🍰 Trieste's renowned "Pasticceria da Ily," a gluten-free bakery part of Restworld network, seeks 1 counter assistant with 2-3 years experience and English proficiency. Tasks include customer communication, counter preparation, cleanliness, sales management, and cash register operation. Knowledge of the gluten-free sector is a plus. Offers a temp contract with potential for permanent hire; shifts Tuesday-Sunday: 7:00-14:00, 14:00-21:00, Sunday 8:00-15:00. Salary: €1,300-€1,500 net per month, plus 13th salary. Open to all genders per laws 903/77 and 125/91.

🎂 Daniel Canzian's "Colomba alle Albicocche Arrosto," initially created in 2021 with Albertengo, returns for Easter 2025. Celebrated for its apricot pieces and Italian-sourced ingredients, the pastry is available for €45 (1kg) at DanielCanzian Ristorante, Milan, or online. Chef Canzian, a former Executive Chef for Gualtiero Marchesi's group and "Pellegrino Artusi" award recipient, opened his eponymous restaurant in 2013. The restaurant emphasizes minimalism, tradition, and seasonal local produce from San Marco market.

🏖️ Balearic government aims to curb overtourism by banning new accommodation construction, increasing ecotax, and imposing new taxes on tourist vehicles. Ecotax in June, July, and August to rise from €1 to €2.5 for lowest accommodation category and from €4 to €6 per night for the highest. Cruise ships docking fees to increase from €2 to €6 per night. A new tax proposed on rental and private tourist cars to offset emission impacts. Measures require negotiation with parliamentary groups for approval.

📍 AirExplore, part of Avia Solutions Group, expanded its fleet from 9 to 16 aircraft in 2024, riding the wave of growing international flight demand. While leveraging the full-service ACMI model (aircraft, crew, maintenance, insurance), they face challenges due to a shortage of available used aircraft, causing lease rates to rise. CEO Martin Stulajter highlights the importance of balancing market growth and fluctuations for long-term profitability and meeting customer expectations for high-quality, reliable service.

🍷 German wine consumption shrank by 4% in volume and 5% in value between August 2023 and July 2024, as reported by the German Wine Institute and NielsenIQ. A total of 15.9 million hectoliters of wine and 2.6 million hectoliters of sparkling wine were consumed. Economic downturn led to cautious spending, affecting local wineries with a 5% volume and 6% business turnover reduction. Average wine prices dropped by 4 cents per liter in 2024, a first in 15 years. Foreign wines, priced at €3.72 per liter, outperformed German wines (€4.47 per liter), reducing the latter's market share by 1% to 41% in volume and 45% in revenue. Italian wines maintained an 18% volume market share, leading imports, followed by Spanish (14%, down 1%) and French (11%, up 1%). Prowein Düsseldorf 2025, scheduled for March 16-18, may face challenges as Wine Paris gains prominence with 5200 exhibitors in February.

🍻 Nearly three months after Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport introduced a new Highway Code, a survey involving 20,000 restaurateurs reported by Pienissimo—a company supporting restaurateurs, founded by Giuliano Lanzetti of Rimini's Bounty—shows a 59% drop in alcoholic beverage sales, impacting revenue. Lanzetti proposed a draft law to address restaurateurs' struggles without compromising road safety, suggesting a free nighttime shuttle service without an NCC license, and incentives for low-emission vehicles with fiscal deductions up to 50%. He also advocates for national availability of app-based transport services like Uber, with simplified professional qualifications for drivers and locally regulated fares to ensure equity and accessibility.