EasyJet says can step in to fly Alitalia routes

By John Bowker

LONDON, Sept 23 (Reuters) - British airline easyJet (EZJ.L) could add new Italian routes at short notice in the event of the total collapse of Alitalia AZPIa.MI -- although it would expect to be awarded airport slots in return.

A spokesman for the low-cost carrier told Reuters on Tuesday that it could commit around ten aircraft on routes such as Milan-Rome, Milan-Naples and Milan-Palermo.

"EasyJet is prepared, at very short notice, to move into routes the Italian government cares about most ... We could commit in the region of ten aircraft," the spokesman said.

Italy's loss-making national airline Alitalia has been sticking to its flight schedules despite the prospect of losing its operating licence in just a few days, unless the special administrator comes up with a credible new offer or cost-cutting plan by Thursday [ID:nLN485696].

However, easyJet said it would not wish to buy Alitalia's vacant slots in the event of its collapse, but would expect to be awarded them by the Italian government in return for a swift resumption of service.

"To operate on that route (Milan-Rome) easyJet would need to be given slots. If so, we would operate a number of routes per day," the spokesman said.

EasyJet's arch rival Ryanair (RYA.L) (RYA.I), which also has a significant presence on domestic Italian routes, declined to comment on its plans.

Alitalia also operates ten flights a day from London's Heathrow, but easyJet said it had no plans to start operations from the UK's busiest airport.

British Airways (BAY.L), which has by far the most slots at Heathrow, with over 40 percent of the airport's total availability, would not comment specifically on Alitalia but said it would look at opportunities to expand its portfolio.

"We are always looking for opportunities to increase our slot portfolio at Heathrow," a spokesman told Reuters. (Reporting by John Bowker)