Giuridico e Amministrativo

🍾 The Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) has positively evaluated the European Commission's new wine labeling proposals in the "Pacchetto vino" presented on March 28 by Agriculture and Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen. A QR code for digitizing ingredient and nutritional information is a key update. The sector's current self-regulation allows for consumption warnings through pictograms and QR codes promoting moderate drinking or the "Wine in Moderation" program. Irish compulsory health labels on wines will start in March 2026, potentially setting a precedent for similar European regulations.

🍪 Italian agri-food exports hit a record €67.5 billion by the end of 2024, a €5 billion jump from the previous year, accounting for nearly 11% of national exports. Sales to the USA surged by 17% last year, with potential tariffs impacting less than expected, about €300 million instead of a possible €1.3 billion, due to the unique appeal of Made in Italy products, which represent €6 billion out of the €7.8 billion exported to the USA. Wine leads Italian exports, valued at over €8 billion, up by 5.5% in 2024. Italy is a global market leader in 15 food categories, including peeled tomatoes (76.3%), pasta (48%), and spirits (34.5%). Lombardy tops regional agri-food turnover with €50 billion, a 41% increase since 2015.

🛩 China intensifies trade war with the US by instructing national airlines to halt further deliveries of Boeing aircraft. In response to Trump's tariffs, Ryanair may delay the acquisition of 737 Max jets if prices rise. Bloomberg reports that Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern are to stop receiving Boeing planes and not purchase US aircraft equipment or spare parts, considering aiding airlines leasing Boeings with increased costs.

🛫 Air France will start a new direct flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Phuket on November 27, with three weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. The return flights from Thailand are on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Flights will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER with 472 seats. During the 2025-2026 winter season, Air France will serve 11 destinations in Asia, including Bangkok, Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Manila, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo-Haneda, and now Phuket.

🏖️ Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè met with her Turkish counterpart Mehmet Nuri Ersoy to discuss connectivity, sustainability, and cultural tourism. They emphasized the need for an updated Italy-Turkey cooperation agreement and recognized tourism as a "bridge of peace." In 2024, Turkish tourist arrivals in Italy surged by over 9% due to improved connections between the two countries.

✈ Transavia, a low-cost airline of Air France, will extend its Paris Orly to Bari route into the winter starting from late October with 4 flights a week on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. New winter services include flights to Cape Verde (Boa Vista, Praia, and Sal) from Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Nantes. Expansion continues in Saudi Arabia (Medina), Egypt (Hurghada), and Israel (Tel Aviv from Marseille and Bordeaux). The Istanbul service will also be enhanced. Transavia aims to operate no less than 168 routes this winter, as stressed by Nicolas Hénin, the deputy general manager.

✈️ 24-hour strikes will impact all Italian airports on April 19. Air traffic controllers across Europe, including France, Spain, Germany, and Belgium, face possible disruptions within the next two weeks. France's national strike is set for April 18-19 and April 25, with extensions possible. In Spain, work stoppages at Madrid and Barcelona from April 20-30 are expected. Actions in Germany and Belgium are under discussion, with potential short-notice disruptions. Travelers are advised to check flight status, plan for longer connections, and consider travel insurance for delays.

💸 Spencer & Carter responded to the Italian Revenue Agency's retroactive application of withholding tax on travel agency insurance sales commissions from April 1, 2024. In December 2024, the agency confirmed this action, prompting insurers to seek unpaid sums from agencies for tax certification and penalty avoidance. Spencer & Carter will cover 100% of the 2024 retroactive withholding amounts, sharing the burden 50-50 with their sales team, exempting partner agencies from financial obligations. Commercial Director Massimiliano Masaracchia criticized the retroactivity, ensuring agencies can deduct Spencer & Carter's direct payments in tax returns.

✈ easyJet launched flights from London Gatwick and Basel to the Federico Fellini International Airport of Rimini and San Marino, available twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays. Lorenzo Lagorio, easyJet Italy's country manager, mentioned 40,000 seats available for the summer season. The airline has 38 planes based at Milan Malpensa, Naples, Milan Linate, and Rome Fiumicino, operating approximately 260 routes from 19 Italian airports.

✈ Vueling launches 224 routes for Summer 2025, targeting nearly 100 destinations across 29 countries, including four new international routes in the Italian market: Florence-Brussels (from April 1, with three weekly flights), Salerno-Paris Orly (June 20 - October 24, three weekly flights), Salerno-Barcelona (July 3 - October 25, three weekly flights), and Rimini-Barcelona (July 2 - October 22, two weekly flights). In Italy, Vueling will offer 33 routes from 15 national airports to 13 European destinations in 6 countries, also connecting Florence to Catania domestically.