There are lots of rumors, so you have to be careful.
Speaking about Cargolux Italia, Why would you outsource to Italy ? Is much cheaper to outsorce to other cheaper places, most of them out of Europe.
Something is cooking behind the scenes, and still to early to see the final outcome. A lot of dust have to settle down. What is clear is that there is a cultural clash among the shareholders.
If I understand well the concept of joint venture, it's like to put in a basket joint resources, and then divide the outcome according to the agreement. If you put 50 per cent of the resources, you get a 50 per cent of the profit or losses.
So if that's correct, means that the unprofitable routes are dealt with the smaller airplane. Keep in mind, as well, that the acquisition of qatar is pending of approval from the EU/USA. So somehow, this may be another cause.
What is absolutely truth is that the 747-8 has brought, in my understanding the need for a second fleet. Having 140 tm of capacity is good on certain routes, but why use a -8 to carry 105 tm or less ? Nothing is as efficient as a twin engine aircraft. There is no question about having the Jumbo. Cargolux means Jumbo, but not all the aircraft have to be jumbos. Having smaller airplanes protect the company for the downturns, while the bigger capacity is needed in the upturns. The difficult part is assessing how many and when to purchase them.
Qatar can fill such needs, plus traffic rights, plus negotiation power, plus plenty of cash. So the second fleet doesn't have to be from CLX !!
Clx can offer expertise, good location and knowhow.
But the deal has to done, and shareholders have to understand each other. This is the beginning, later comes other decisions, like CWA, outsourcings, CVI, etc
