what's happening at Azzurra?

[Jetset320]

There seem to have been developments at Azzurra over last weekend, apparently to the extent of its very existance.

Apparently the magiority shareholder (Seven Group) is bust. Not good news anyway

Does anyone have the latest? Are Manchester ops. affected?

[DesignerChappie]

Considering 5 out of 7 of the RJ fleet are sat at Exeter, with the other 2 out in Italy somewhere, might say something.

[jmc-man]

The 737-700's have been repossessed by GECAS.


:ooh: :rolleyes: :suspect:

[LGW Vulture]

Wasn't / isn't Air Malta a 49% shareholder in Azzurra?

Why weren't they able to do anything about this?

[Jetset320]

DesignerChappie, The RJs where made idle after they terminated a contract with Alitalia last October:

Quote: <<<<<<Azzurra Avro RJs idled by end of Alitalia contract
The seven Avro RJs of Italian airline Azzurra Air have been largely idled by the termination of the contract to provide services for Alitalia. In a cost-cutting move, Alitalia cancelled services to Hamburg, Copenhagen, Porto, and Stockholm from Milano's Malpensa Airport, as of October 26, 2003 -- services that Azzurra had provided. The move leaves Azzurra's Avro RJs with only one scheduled service: to Rotterdam, served once daily in a code-share arrangement with VLM. Azzurra operates four Avro RJ70s and three RJ85s. [2003-10-28]>>>>>>

JMC-Man, are you sure the 737-700 were reposessed as they were due to be returned to lessor anyway in lieu of new A320s, two of which have been delivered?


LGW Vulture, Air Malta have been bailing out Azzurra for possibly too long now. Besides it is still a mystery to me if they still own their 49%, as it has been rumoured to have been sold, just last week!

[concordino]

I wish not to hijack this thread but,

Isn't Azzura supposed to have bought Air Littoral and have failed to inject the promised capital in it ?

What happened there ?

Cheers

[Flightrider]

RobinZ, I don't think the two new A320s due to be delivered in lieu of the 737-700s have actually arrived. The leasing company has taken the 737-700s back early (apparently due to non-payment) and has cancelled the deal to lease them two A320s as replacements. This changeover was not due to take place until April/May.

A lot of Azzurra flights from the UK (especially to Lapland etc) have been replaced with other airlines because Azzurra now does not have the aircraft to operate. They have apparently told their charterers that they don't have the money to pay for the subcharter of a replacement aircraft from other airlines.

It does not look good......

[IceHouse]

Noticed today at work that they are booked into training/circuits at EMA tommorow on A320 if that's any more info

[Lee-a-Roady Moor]

Shame if it's true. Flew with them during the summer - nice new shiny clean aircraft, pleasant cabin crew, on time departure & arrival both ways. Overall, gave a very good lasting impression and would have (had?) no hesitation in recommending them.

Perhaps it's only a rumour.............:)

[starbag]

I don't have any inside gossip, but we parked next to an Azzura A320 at Ivalo (Finland) on Sat. It was operating a day trip from Manchester.

[814man]

The title of this thread caught my eye as I just got my tickets yesterday to fly with Azzura from Manchester to Finland for a ski holiday first week in January. Do I need to be worried at all? (Not about safety I should add but about the company being able to getting me there).

[GOLF-INDIA BRAVO]

Azzurra A320 (EI-DBD) just returned from East Midlands at 13.00 today

Gof India Bravo

[Avroliner]

Things are doing quite bad in ZS, as in most other Italian companies. To date (to answer Robin's question) KM still holds the 49% share holding. Problem is that KM seems to be facing some problems too !!

Lets hope that things get a turn for the better in Azzurra and littoral as there are hundreds of jobs at stake.

[Jetset320]

We're all hoping that Azzurra makes it through to better times and out thoughts are with you.

Yes indeed, KM is now hitting bad times, partly (read mainly) due to the losses at Azzurra. Why they lost LM 6 million ($US15 million) last announced financial year (was that 2002?) has still not been explained or even quantified. This years losses ( pre grounding of RJ fleet) are expected to be even higher. Why? Let alone current financial situation.

Not only this, but KM has also millions in capital tied up in loan guaranties for ZS, as well as lease guaranties on all the RJs, now sold to a bank, idle or not.

Nobody can go on throwing money into a bottomless pit, moreover when reasons for such are not fully comprehensible.

[Avroliner]

Well the last info I have is that KM is loosing loads of money due to pilfering!! Strange, no mention was made of ZS. Well it is obvious that the full truth is never made official so ZS could still be a factor. Yet I do have a feeling that ZS losses are KM's relief valve. After all ZS has been created by KM with such a scope !!

Marridx nohloq polemiki yet I think that we just know the tip of an iceberg and we are in the hands of politicians and heavyweights. :ouch:

For info Azzurra employed 600 people operating 12 aircraft. Airmalta employes around 2000 people operating 13 aircraft !!!!

[charterguy]

I think you will find that Air Malta will be in dire straits when Malta joins the EU in May 2004. That will put an end to its monopoly in Malta. They are already busy trying to re-invent themselves as a low cost airline.

Just checked their website, and it has the following information: -

Sale Of AZZURRAair S.P.A. Not Yet Concluded

Date: Monday, 15 December 2003
Ref: 086-2003

Air Malta refers to a number of media reports that have appeared over the last few days regarding the sale of AZZURRAair S.p.a to 7 Group p.l.c.

Air Malta wishes to confirm that it still currently holds a 49% shareholding in Azzurrair S.p.a.. Further details will be given when and if the sale of AZZURRAair S.p.a. to 7 Group p.l.c., is concluded.

CG

[Jetset320]

Twan, Air Malta has it's problems, that's for sure. Pilfering and over staffing are just two of them. However the 2000 staff you mention is the Group's total employes, including staff at 3 hotels and several other companies. Notwithstanding, it is overstaffed as you mention. Hopefully new stratagies will be put in place sooner rather than later.

There is a similar here rumour here that KM's losses are hidden into ZS's balance sheets. This is probably because ZS's losses are so inexplicable. However it is not so easy to play around with figures like such, in seperate companies and in different countries, so one has to be level headed.

This topic is not about KM's problems.....it has many, as we know; But about Azzurra's change in fortunes over the last couple of years. There is nothing I would like more, than see Azzurra prosper, however many questions are still unanswered.

Why has it been loosing so much dosh with just ACMI contracts and charter flights? How was Alitalia allowed to play dirty like that? Could something have been done earlier? What is being done now? Is there a plan? Why did the management step down? Who is now 'in command'? Indeed, who owns it? Is ZS still flying Air Littoral's routes? I heard today that ZS Italy stopped it's only remining route to Rotterdam.......why? Will Manchester ops be affected if ZS Italy goes down?

[Netset]

Robin

Azzurra has been losing money from its schedule operation and not from its charter flights. According to 'Airline Business' monthly magazine, Azzurra has been ranked the 30th largest charter carrier in the WORLD with annual growth of over 50% in revenue passenger kms (RPK).

I my opinion Air Malta should not sell Azzurra. After all 'Group 7' are in a worst financial situation. Air Malta should transfer some of its 320's to Malta and use them for our charter operation and low cost service to Stansted. Image-wise it will be suicide for Air Malta to use aircraft wearing the 'Air Malta brand' on the low cost schedule.

Sahha ghalikhom.

[Jetset320]

I don't think KM should sell Azzurra either. Not with those balance sheets. It probably wouldn't even sell for a pound. I also agree that Azzurra should be made into KM's low cost carrier. However, (not sure if you insinuated it),I find that Air Malta's name is held in very good standing internationally, but it would be essential to de-identify any low cost operation. With proper management this company could then exploit niche markets within Europe.

[Avroliner]

I want to give a first hand account of some facts. I have flown Airmalta, Alitalia, and many other companies. Few airlines stand up to Airmalta's standard. Fly alitalia's milan malta route.... So if KM is low cost AZ is super low cost!! Azzurra (Italy) service equals Airmalta, yet with a bit of a struggle (due to tough competition). In fact Azzurra changed from Air Chef(alitalia catering) to Ligabue due to better standards.

ZS is no low cost airline. Airline fares are no cheaper than any other carrier!! On the contrary, being able to fly to FLR, LCY and many other short field airports, fares were relatively high.

Azzurra's operation for Alitalia were KM's decision!! ZS lost money, no doubt, but it was following orders by KM. Yet as I said before this is all political staff. (Maybe a passaport for skyteam??)

In my opinion KM should hang on to ZS and open a Milan based company in May. Needless to say, KM will suffer if companies like Ryan air will start to operate from Malta. So, having had this base in Milan for 7 years I do not see why KM should let go now.

ZS needs experienced KM staff here for starters..... Ops and admin.

Quote " Why did the management step down? Who is now 'in command'? Indeed, who owns it? Is ZS still flying Air Littoral's routes? I heard today that ZS Italy stopped it's only remining route to Rotterdam.......why? Will Manchester ops be affected if ZS Italy goes down? " Unquote.

1. Chairman surely had good reasons for doing so. Maybe Group 7 planned to turn ZS into low cost, or he knew that promises made by G7 could not be honoured. G7 now owns 50.83% of the company.

2. Good question! Seems like G7 is in command due to larger share holding.

3. No ZS does not fly Littoral any more.... pity. (Promises made by G7 did not materialize). Calvi and Figari were operated by avro.

4. ZS currently has 2 737 both of which are grounded due tech. A320 crew are still doing training. Yet could be that RTM has been lost due to other reasons.

5. Another good one! Hope not!! Even though (nahseb) aircraft are on ZS AOC.

Yet I do not want to be pessimistic. Miracles do happen, and maybe this Christmass G7 could bring one this way.

[Netset]

Robin & Avroliner

Its because I think highly of Air Malta (after all we are all pilots for the same company) that I don't want the low cost operation to be operated using KM aircraft and livery. When one looks at a Ryanair aircraft, its automatically associated with the 'low cost no frills' trade. However when one looks at say a 'Singapore Airlines aircraft one immediately thinks of quality service. Air Malta and Finnair are the only airlines in Europe using the same aircraft for both their schedule and charter flights. Are we going to be using the same aircraft also for the low cost service to Stansted? I sincerely hope not.

Il-Milied u s-sena tajba guys. See you around.

[Avroliner]

The two 737 aircraft are back in service. ZS has up to 3 flights per day at the moment. The BGY FCO route is still operational and charter flights to Sharm-el-Sheik are still on.

Yet it seems G7 head, Mr. Palmonella wants to see KM out of ZS. His comments about the Maltese and KM are not appreciated at all. He stated that he will take over KM's part.

Guess it's either G7 or KM. I cannot see any sort of collaboration between the two. KM is a national carrier, and G7 is a bunch of guess what! What do they know about flying after all.

At this stage the best idea is to wait, and if things go G7's way then remove the part of the Maltese cross from ZS logo and withdraw maltese staff back. Pity all the millions (hundreds of them) invested by KM are given for free to such a company with such a bad curriculum.

Time will tell........

[flyblue]

concordino,
having seven group failed to deposit the 11M Euros they had to pay, Air Littoral is looking for another buyer.

[beaucaire]

Palmonella and 7G have been oficially removed from the list of take-over candidates from Air Littoral which is now for 3 weeks under observation and allowing them time to find another take-over candidate. Palmonella ( he was actually convicted to three years jail in a mafia trial in Rome some years ago ).
Don't mention the name Azzurra in France any longer - Palmonella has done great harm to italian business promotion....
Air Littoral used to bea great regional Airline with good reputation in the south of France and it is french politicians ( who else....) who f...ed up the whole change of ownership scenario.

[Plane Speaker]

The Avro RJ fleet (7 aircraft, I believe) are now parked at Exeter Airport, probably under the care and maintenance of Flybe Engineering.

[Skunkie]

Azzurra air seems to be hitten by a lil ray of sun! :cool:
on January I'm flying to Marsalam, Budapest (all B-737 as you know RJ are in Exeter) at the same time, pilots finished courses on A-320 and cabin crew are starting now, the 7th of jan 5 intense days plus a visit on board to be able to fly on that aircraft.
Voices that on the 7th Jan Company should be closedare gone.
Maybe Maltese crew will go away and then...well don't ask me what will happen....our salary has been regulary paid and just for now no dismissals....:confused: Let's stay here and look.....
just one thing....what was that voice about a possibly crash of one of our jets?...technicians are still well trained...maybe a threat?

brgrds
Skunkie

[lovegerd]

hi guys i worked with azzurraair last summer.
im presently not operating for them<better times for me>.
i have freinds who do work there and they are up in arms as well as the company never tell there crew the truth its all this and that and no answers.
the 2 aircraft are still operating<a320>,one of which is leased on a use by day basis.
they havent enough crew to cover flights hence why flights are recently being canx.
they are now up for training in italy next week,whos paying dont ask havent a clue,staying in hotel for 3 weeks at 45.00 per day allowance,to again there italian license as this is a requirement by italian law for wen and yes a big wen,then go it alone,meant to be feb/march wen km have nothing more to do with them,and so they shouldnt this airline is a disgrace,the ones i feel sorry for are the crew they are diamonds,and have helped this airline out to far...

[Avroliner]

At this point I really do hope KM removes any sign of the Malta Cross from ZS aircraft.

[Jetset320]

And why would you wish that? Do you know of any developments?

[MILLENNIUM]

I hear that ZS/7G have agreed to increase the working capital of Azzurra to 15M Euros and this will be injected into the company within 7 days. Looks like they are out of the woods!

[Jetset320]

If that's so, it's the good news we've all been waiting for. Is this info published anywhere? If so, do you have a link to the site?

[Skunkie]

well, it looks like they put 15 mil. in the Company, but really nobody saw them......I mean, as soon as I see cash I believe in it; anyway those money should cover Azzurra up to 15th of February.
Right now they are discussing this and communicating to the pilots & cabin crew associations......tomorrow we will know a bit more.
Anyway I know (should be my flight) that Azzurra operates Adriatica airlines a/c, which are supposed to be in the U.K. blacklist......I opened a 3d to have more infos about that.
Obviously they use their aircraft to go to Sharm-el-Sheikh...with italian pax....all crew and equipment are croatian and only a purser for commercial services should be on board.
This is not exactly a good new for Azzurra's employers....

KM is definitely out of these operations. I wonder where the money are coming from and if it is REAL money or just the usual promise

Skunkie

[Skunkie]

On 9th jan Azzurra air hosted a "party" where people should be informed of the situation...nothing specific came out ( I wasn't present).
7G promised a first tranche of recapitalization 10 mil Euros ( should be enough up to 15th February).
Maltese 49% got an ultimatum to give 6 mil. Euros, they shuold give, as an ultimatum , the 30th of January.
If they refuse, 7G should cover these money (.....) and maltese will be not cut out, but only reduced their shares in the Company.
This could be (my opinion) a strategy to reduce their shares proportionally and, step by step exit from the Company not in a drastical manner.
Crew are supposed to be sent in Manchester base, with no choice (exept the anzianity list) anyway, just for the moment it is all posticipated to the 15th of january.
During th party no practical news has been explained.
Maltese crew (5 Maltese Captain at the moment) will go back to Malta.

Let's hope in better period :uhoh:

Right now we (as Cabin Crew, are flying on Saturday and Sunday and not more - no scheduled flights are at the moment available, only ad hoc flights and some charters with B-737/700).


Skunkie

[Avroliner]

I did hope KM will try some statagy, which it did! G7 10 million euros ultimatum is about 2 weeks prior to ours ..6 million. If G7 delivers... very doubtful.... than good luck to ZS. However maltese crew could and would go, at long last.

Maltese crew in ZS are, as always, filling up the gaps, and doing most of the training according JAR OPS. They are the only holders of a JAR licence, issued by a country which has been operating on very high standards.

If G7 does not deliver than it is them who will loose ZS... Last in first out. KM could and should use this opportunity to expand into foreign bases come May. A320 crews in KM are very well trained, and KM was one of the first carriers to have them.

KM has created this company and I am positive that they will have plans to make it viable. It is KM who has always invested in the company.... 7 years. It is simply not fair that some G7 comes up with loads of promises which to date have never been honoured.

Again, KM is a national carrier and G7 is... em... what is it exacly.... I just do not know, beleive me. All I know is that it has a history of failures. Maltese staff feel that it is their baby. Most Italian staff share our opinion.

Conclusion.... ZS is still on the negotiating table.

Skunkie I hope I clarified the situation, even though I write to the best of my knowledge, and I also could be mistaken.

Robin this is as far as I know for the moment, again to the best of my knowledge.

Best regards to all following this threrad

Hi Robin,

Things in ZS change by the hour. No one actually knows what is up anyone elses sleeve. It is like a chess game. No one declares his next move! Recapitalisation took place just yesterday. As from tomorrow things can change. I am happy KM did not bail out as that meant loosing a 7 year investment overnight. I think they did the correct move.

I am not aware of any site which sheds true transparent light on the story.

[Netset]

I fully agree with what Avroliner said. Air Malta must have some strategy with regards to Azzurra. If not they would have sold it at the time the Minister for IT and Govenment Affairs announced that KM's shares were to be sold shortly.

I stand to be corrected but I believe that Manchester's operation is being run by Air Malta. The operation is a 100% success and the charterer is willing to sell more seats provided such seats are available.

G7 will shortly be out of the equation. KM has other plans for ZS.

Regards

[Skunkie]

NetSet

I fully agree with you and Avroliner (as long as it results you are Maltese, you should know what is happening over there).
Remaining an Cabin Crew strategy, all CC flying from Manchester (Bristol is only summer base) are now attending a converse course in Italy, in the case the two EI-DBD, EI-DBC will became Italian
:hmm:
I just pass the test on A-320 (absolutely NOT Jar Ops except some particulars almost regarding cockpit crew).
No exact procedures have been explaind to us, only Airbus general, and we don't know which aircraft and from where will (if) arrive.
The course was 3 days long...I'm always on pc and I find it "quite easy" but is not the same for all Cabine Crew. Then we got test (yesterday morn) based on company SOP, but easier that a lot of things will change!
Tha 4 A320-200 ordered by Air Malta, when our Chairman was still Maltes won't arrive. They are stopped by the same leasing company who took back our Irish B737-700 (nowadays we operate with two German 737-700).
So we don't really know where this A320 will come from, surely second handed, with charateristic totally or partially different from ours.

Great part of Cabin Crew operating in Manchester are from U.K. and their contract is very low....according , anyway to the cost of life in U.K.
If they will start operating in Italy, their salary will be adequated to the cost of life in Italy, so they will gain less then us 8note that we operate as a low cost...737 carries 3 Cabin Crew, the service is not good as Air Malta's but we got duty free (all manual, if you mistake your payment will be lowered) and we got hot meals and so on...only difference all economy class....
Nowadays some pursers from Azzurra went to Toulose and they are abilitated to fly U.K./Maltese a320....everything has been hidden......
When U.K. crews will come to ZS I can't even imagine the mess will be created! If KM quit, the only solution will be closing and reopening with people they want and with salary they want, despite of any seniority list.....otherwise, if no money appears...they will close everything!

I think the only "hope" is that Malta will need a base in Italy in order to enter Europe. And , again , I hope Malta has a kind of strategy.

To know more about pilots, refer to Avroliner!!!!

brgrds

Skunkie

[Jetset320]

First of all, I just heard that Capt. Joe Agius (Azzurra Chief Training Pilot) has resigned from Azzurra and is resuming his post with Air Malta. Azzurra's loss.

A plan is desperatly needed. Azzurra has lots of debts and with the 7 RJ's grounded, 2 737s re-possessed, they have a humongous amount of staff sitting around idle doing nothing.......and still getting paid. Besides, there is the little issue of the lease payments on the RJs. Whether Azzurra is paying them or Air Malta is irrelevant, because they still have to be paid (guaranteed) by KM, each month (x7). Can you imagine what this is costing?

With the above as a huge anchor, and the debts accumulated so far, this cash injection will dry up in no time at all.

Something has to be done soon (read now!) and unfortunately this will have to include operating the RJs ......... 1)ready trained crews on payroll, 2)available aircraft idle, also on payroll.

As the RJs cannot be used successfully for charters(except perhaps from some remote airfilelds or perhaps Florence), the only way I can see this going is for Azzurra to open a low cost scheduled operation out of a couple of bases, and operate point to point on stategic routes that are not yet exploited.

Since other low costs have taken over airports like MXP, FCO/CIA, BGY etc, perhaps possible candidates could be Verona, Forli or Venice. Short sectors would be the key, and operation (OF RJs) will be totally internet based. Heavy advertising will be a must, as is the branding on the aircraft. The way I see it..........we are already loosing......this way we can only win!


Regarding G7 (seven group), someone sold (gave) them that stategic 51%, so now they pull the strings. Alitalia screwed Azzurra up, as it did with Minerva, KLM and many others. **** happens. Let's hope that ZS has what it takes to get on it's feet again.....for the long haul.

[tarjet fixated]

things are definately not good at Azzurra...but the 320's do exist and fly and apparently the money to buy out Littoral has been raised and maybe even payed.
I read the 2 companies (azzurra and littoral) want to build a mediterranean regional network together.
we'll see...

[Skunkie]

Robin z

yesterday 's news is about using again Avro in Italy, but is really only a rumor.....
Hope some chief read this thread and got some ideas...
i don't know exactly about Capt. Agius resignation, but could be quite true.
He is in Malta since Saturday and maybe they are discussing smtg more.
Here I read betwen the lines, the possibility of using again Avro, as you correctly suggested...but is all a supposition....Malta has got time up to 30th january and hope something will be done....

News from other maling list and sms on mobilephone, refers this...hope they are not "stupid" to leave everything go.
let's wait and hope.................
I will be in Malta on thursday and hope to get some good news1

otherwise, the end of Azzurra will be imminent :uhoh:

Skunkie

[Skunkie]

Robin z

Capt Agius has not resigned yet...he went to Malta on Saturday to check situation over there, the rumors about Rj fleet are increasing....hope is a good new for ZS.

As you told in a previous post, maybe they will try smtg as you suggested (forl', LCY, Florence and oters for charters).
Let's wait the ultimatum from Malta...they should insert 6 mil Euros or their quotes will gradually be lowered.

After 30th jan....maybe smtg will move....in the while we are almost all on idle...cpt, cabin crew (1 or 2 fly each month).
Rj pilots got a chance to come back to Italy and fly again with Rj...take it as a rumor ...a llil bit than a rumor....

:rolleyes: well In God we trust..
Maybe u flyng from MXP to MLA on thu morning? I will be on KM plane (hope not full) as a pax with ZED ticket....so I will enjoy a week in your marvellous island :ok:

no other news from here..people and management are :mad:


Anyway...in the 300 cabin crew (supposed to be assumed in KM as a low cost operating cabin crew..) do you think thre is some space for a 13 1/2 years old flying purser? :O :O :O
I mean I don't intend to fly as a purser...just ned a job!

The limit is that I know few Maltese....mostly bad words ;) ;) ;)

Best regards and be strong...here and in KM

cheers

Skunkie

[Avroliner]

I feel quite angry at seeing certain names on this thread. Guess you should know better.

Just because you see someone in Malta, that does not mean he has handed his resigntion!

If the captain you mentioned hands in his resignation than you can kiss goodbye to any hope of changes in Azzurra.

Airmalta has set up this operation in the first place (7 or 8 years ago). It has assigned certain responsabilities to certain people who merit it. These people have given their utmost to make the situation viable. They are no cowards. No Maltese has left the company for that reason. Their reasons were more than justified.

What I can tell you is that the Captain you mentioned and our ex chairman are trying to find solutions for Azzurra and for Airmalta.

I hope that you are satisfied with the above.

[Jetset320]

I said that I "heard" that he resigned, not because I saw him in Malta, but because that is what I "heard" from someone in ZS.

As this is a 'rumours' forum, it is the appropriate forum for this 'news', and as nobody else seems to have confirmed it, it quite possibly may be false information. If it is, my apologies, but I only repeated what I was told. We will find out, eventually.

[Avroliner]

Hi Roin Z,

I get your point, yet that does not jusify putting certain names, especially if it is based on what you heard from someone else.

Apart from that we are on Airlines, Aiports and routes forum now.

Yet I know you mean well, so I thank you for this thread you started. After all I does involve KM too..... not to mention certain KM pilots too.

A320 have been stopped it seems. 737 are off as from today (german registration ones)

So what does ZS have? NOTHING

All it has is what Airmalta has painstakingly put in.... hundreds of millions.
Maybe it would be wiser to invest the money poured down the bottomless pit (ZS), to be redirected towards improving KM pilot and captain salaries. Mr. Palmonella is a failure and KM should not try to negociate with him.

[c.r.m what is it]

Noticed two a320's parked up at malta last night, what is happening with them???

[GOLF-INDIA BRAVO]

Azzurra flights out of Manchester were being operated by Air Malta this morning so one wonders if the 2 A320 might go to Air Malta to cover? answers on a post card
Golf India Bravo

[JXK04998]

LOOKS LIKE KM ARE GOING TO GO FOR ZS FLYING IN UK. THE A320 PARKED UP IN MLA WILL RETURN TO MAN SHORTLY BUT NOT AS ZS.

[Baron rouge]

things are definately not good at Azzurra...but the 320's do exist and fly and apparently the money to buy out Littoral has been raised and maybe even payed.
I read the 2 companies (azzurra and littoral) want to build a mediterranean regional network together.
we'll see...

In your dream there is money to buy Air Littoral!!!

In fact they are just a gang of crooks who wanted to rip off Air Littoral and began to lay down Fokker and ATR pilots to allow the RJ of azzura to fly.

the game is over, and Air Littoral will be finished by the end of the month.

[320DRIVER]

To whom are the ZS 320s going?

[Dan319]

KM need a 320.
One of their`s hit a pylon at MLA causing a lot of damage to wing + fuel leak.
all 27 px ok. About to depart to Catania.

Dan:ouch:

[free the renault 5]

Today is D-Day for Azzurra.
G7 have promised to buy-out Air Malta's 49% for E11m.this was agreed at the shareholders meeting on the 7 jan.
The shareholder capital is expected to arrive this AM, if not then it's end-game.

I wont even tell you how much in debt they are.


As for Air Littoral, this will not happen and G7 have terminated thier interest.



Not a nice position to be in. (waiting for money from G7 that is.)

Azzurra out of the blue?

[Skunkie]

:( every day is a D-Day for Azzurra......30th jan should be the last term for KM to decide for keepin on the affair or quit

anyway it seems everything is covered under a great secret....no planes, no flights for this month, but in a few days the 2 german 737 should fly again (at least looking at roster...)

then from march should start the new fleet of 6 A320 up to june to be completed......

:ouch: hope first one won't be the KM one hihihi

[Towerman]

Azzura RJ's at Exeter since mid Dec and KM has terminated the sub leases. Aircraft are financed to KM by a London Bank.

Would guess that the lease payments on all seven will be more than $1M USD per month in total - that would be a $12M loss over 12 months for KM plus cost of insurance, maintenance, parking etc

Expensive business........

[iceman51]

Today is the very last day for Azzurra. Board meeting this afternoon, but no news until now. The Italian financial press reprted today the carrier will stop tomorrow its operations between BGY and FCO until further notice; it seems also that charter ops are suspended too. My personal understanding is that they run out of cash and require an immediate injection of 10 million euros.

The C.E.O., Mr. Capalbo also declared that flts "will be resumed in February" (with which money, a/c and to where?), and that "four aircraft are operational (B737s?) in a fleet of 13" (has he simply forgot that AirMalta repossessed the 2 A320s and that the RJ are sitting in a UK airport?).

We wil see if a white knight with real money will/has show/ed up at the Board meeting or if the saga will continue ...

In any event, bye bye Azzurra, the airline community will not miss you (it will never forget, your debt, wages and taxes not paid or delayed, etc.)

[Skunkie]

Surely it will not miss iceman51!!! Go back to your iceberg sunshine :8

Anyway, till today salaries have been paid.

Azzurra was OK till maltese were in. Yet once an italian company stuck its finger in, the same old story happened. Just look at italian headline news!!

Could be bye bye for ZS, as has been with loads of other companies.... but it will be missed. Unfortunatly it will be remembered for the bitter end, for which niether KM nor any maltese are to blame.

[Jetset320]

Can't understand how, but after failed bids for Air Littoral and the Olympic, now Seven Group, in Azzurra's name, are after bankrupt Sobelair!!!

Can you believe it??? If they have any money at all, what are they waiting for to put it into Azzurra itself,which is desperately on the cliffedge. Or is this their plan to scam the Maltese out of their 49% on the cheap........or indeed even for free?

[320DRIVER]

RZ, I think that is exactly what their plan is at AZZURRA.

At the moment, since the compnay is not bankrupt KM's share is still worth something. I think Group 7 "want" to make AZZURRA go to the brink of bankruptcy and as soon as KM will see that its shares are about to become zilch, they will be tempted to sell them to Group 7 at a cut down price... and then, voila ... the Group 7 cash will appear to start the rebuilding of ZS.

[Avroliner]

The mystery goes on!! HA HA so they are after Sobelair !!!! The guy is saying too many different things to many different groups. When he meets certain people he says he will rebuild ZS based on 737, yet he says A320 to others. It does seem that Avros are out of the question.

There is going to be redimentioning of ZS, meaning that a circular issued on the 22nd Jan (promising that no jobs will be lost) is another piece of toilet paper. Good chance that half of the crews will be off payroll within the comming weeks. Cheeky guy to say the least.

Will he do the same to Sobelair?? He has already lost face with Air littoral (a great company with great potential, but iffy management). So many staff there have been fooled for too long. I would like to point out that most ZS pilots feel very sorry for how ZS chief has handled Lit. and I do hope that they will find a solution. (At least pilots there have JAR FCL)

As for ZS, any pilots who go will have to remain in Italy, which is still in the struggle for JAR FCL.

[bmiboyz]

Just out of interest having played catch up with the developments at Azzura, the last post was a while ago, so what is the latest news are they back in the air yet?? Who is in the know???? Are the MAN ops operating and what is happening for summer 2004?? Some answers would be great!

[Skunkie]

yeeee having idea of what's gona happen on summer 2004 is an utopia!!!!! they don't even know what will happen tomorrow!

At present time only one B737 is operating the scheduled flight BGY-FCO plus some charters (usually Marsa alam and Sharm-el-sheik).
This morning workers associations and management (all 7G now...) were discussing about the date they will pay our january salary........supposing to be on the value of 2nd of february, I really don't believe to see any money before the 10th of this month! :sad:
The 10th is also the ultimatum for 7G to give 16mil euros to recapitalize. Personally I never heard about Sobelair and Air Littoral seem to be out of question since last December!

A lot of different voices about the fleet (some say 737-800, someone else A320) seem to be only words to rise confusion.
Yesterday a crew sent to USA for A320 trainee was sent back and they went to UK (if I remember well) but also this course has been stopped and they came back to Italy!
Other voices say that azzurra will close for some months ...... don't know why, maybe just to wait Malta's entering EU...all this could be only a strategy!
About Azzurra UK I really don't know the exact position of the crew...I met some cabin crew few days ago at a medical test. What I think is that Azzurra UK will remain, will change name and will be the base for air Malta's low cost.

Anyway all these are only suppositions, you know......the less you work, the more you have time to think ;)

[c.r.m what is it]

Seems the two a320 used last summer and recently stored at mla, are off to thomas cook airlines belguim

[allthatglitters]

The 2 A320's parked LMML have departed to pastures anew.

[Jetset320]

Yes, destination Monastir, Tunisia. Apparently reason is for storage reasons untill they are picked up by Thomas Cook.

Quite weird though, because until some time ago, an executive 727 based in Monastir used to stay long term in Malta during long periods of no use. Malta must have since then put up its long term parking rates substantially!

An Air Malta press release reported in the Maltese press explains that Azzurra's 7 Avro RJs were repossed by Air Malta, (and not by the owners), due to lease payment defaulting by Azzurra. This was to counter an Azzurra statement that quoted their new CEO saying the aircraft were not comensurate to their needs.

http://www.airmalta.com/page.jsp?id=3170&siteid=1

Was glad to see an Azzurra 737-700 operating a flight to/from Las Palmas las Monday. Apparently it is the only aircraft in the fleet right now.

Also, on the notice board of the spotter's terrace in Manchester, a list of forthcoming aircraft movements lists that Azzurra has cancelled summer charters to 5 Greek destinations. I wonder if these contracts have automaticaly been passed on to the Air Malta aircraft now based there?

[Avroliner]

Yes Robin, Azzurra UK will most probably become KM, and rightfully so. Mr. Palmonella, very well known as a gentleman who keeps his word, has now swallowed back all he said about RJ. He is on his knees begging KM for the RJ's, yet KM (once bitten twice shy) has decided not to fall in the trap again. So, the gentleman is saying that it is KM's fault that ZS is in such a turmoil. What an honorable person. Thank you Mr. Palmonella for all your efforts in saving Air Littoral and Azzurra. Your efforts are appreciated by hundreds of people. You should apply for Chairman Airmalta, dear Mr. Palmonella.

[Jetset320]

To me it sounds like Air Malta should buy another 1.5% in Azzurra and get back into the driving seat!!

What is the latest at Azzurra Italy? What are the latest promises? Are all the workforce still on the books? I really hope that it works out for you guys.

[Avroliner]

That could sound good, yet ZS has such an enormous deficit (created by Palmonella) that KM will find itself another toqba kbira. Most staff have already found jobs in other companies, or in the process of. A320 pilots have also made some arrangements, even though nobody has given resignation as yet. (I confirmed yesterday) We have not seen salaries since December.

Ahna biss tfajna ir rizenja.

F'mejju ZS ta Man tigi kollha KM, imma hawnhekk futur m'hawnx. Il kumpanijja sa tghalaq f'lahhar tax xaghar.

As for the situation here..... operations department seems like obitorju. Bout a flight per day, when we're riding high! Palmonella said that he has to sack people.

Best regards ROB
ma ndumux ma niltaqghu :ok:

[Skunkie]

Avroliner said " You should apply for Chairman Airmalta, dear Mr. Palmonella."

what about a candidation as a ministro del consiglio??? looks like they are two of a kind! :D :D :D

Anyway let's wait until the end of this month, for now...some bad or good new should arrive!

[Skunkie]

This morning started injunction to pay for Jan, Feb, part of March and national insurance contribution, not yet paid since November.

Everything is in the hands of the lawyers, but there still are two or three steps before claiming bankrupt, but I think the direction is that.
Last a/c has been confiscated yesterday, but some flights are operated with a/c from other Companies (hope they ask money before...;) )

Mr Palmonella declared that Jan's salary will be paid on monday...as long as I don't live in a fairy tale , I don't belive it, anyway they got 40 days to pay, then the second step of the case will automatically start.
In Italy law times are very very long, so don't expect a quick resolution.....anyway the workers are moving.

Press and television (only local tv for now, tele 55) are spreading the new, and other press conferences are supposed to be done in the next few days.






well if anyone has a Company that wants to lead to bankrupt, now knows a specialist in these affairs.....

[Jetset320]

Sorry to hear that Skunkie. I saw ZS's 737-700 D-AG?Y in Berlin a couple of days ago, and I figured that its been repossed by Germania as well. The end looks near my friend. Hope not of course, or at least you get taken over by another company with proper management. Buona fortuna.

[Skunkie]

Thanks a lot Robin, think I won't fly anymore (13 years are too much ;) ) but I hope to remain close to the airport , aircrafts and all their charm! Hope also for a lot of colleagues, hope they will find a good way to go along


anyway I'll keep informed as much as I can whoever is interested in this topic, as I think things will go on for loooong long time!!!!!!

BRGDS

well another thing Robin...not for sure, the 737/700 should be repossesed by the leasing society as Pembroke gave an ultimatum. They needed the two a/c for Maersk who apparentely were willing to pay all debts and even the "C" maintenence.......quite a miracle!!!:rolleyes: hope Maersk crew won't be treated as Azzurra air's ones...at least....let them know what is going to happen in their company not only the day they declare (finger cross) bankrupt!!!

What I find really amazing is that all this initiation, the choice of Lawyers etc is all done by Cabn Crew and Tehnicians (think they are in an even worst situation than C/C....with AZ redundancy payments, it will be very hard for them to find work....) while the pilot ( not the Maltese who will go back KM) are in a stall situation, only chatting, but no action!!!! I know there is not a structure as could be Alpa, but now they are all in the same situation....what's the problem to find an accord....not every single one will be satisfied, I know, but I never saw such lack of organization....at this point I cannot think they fear to compromise their carreer....they are fighting for their rights in full legality!


Let's smile and wait for better times.....:ok: It happened to me 12 years ago and I'm still here fighting......I'm worst than weeds!!!!!


Happy night and dream in colors

[Skunkie]

Well....think rightnow everyone knows the bad fortune Azzurra air encountered in the last year and a half.

It's the beginning of the end.

After the injunction of payment, and obviously no payment arrived (really another pay packet was in our pigeon hole....but no money.....)
This morning ALL Cabin Crew and ALL technicians demonstrated their rights, first blocking Terminal 1 area, then moving to the offices of the company to meet that s.o.b. Palmonella. He refused to come out, first asserting he was not there, then (as long as police was there, also the criminal police) he came out and told that he paid.....yes he paid starting from the lower salary, making the names of people who should have been paid -who was there and ask him to phone to their banks and verify the transaction, never happened!!!!! - Police was ready with smoke bombs and baton in case things went worse...fortunately they didn't need!

The Province of Varese, which is quite rich, proposed to finance the whole thing , just if they had an industrial plan -as they recently did for other two companies, not aeronautical, but in great crisis - but..THERE IS NO TRACE OF A RAG OF A PLAN!!!!!

Our darling Palmonella remained without word and didn't want to do any declaration more...He just said that from sept. up to now he didn't see any money ( logical...all put in someone else account, if not spended!!!)....our social security contribution has not been paid since Nov. and not even the tax for ENAC for our licences has been paid.

Now he has 40 days starting from 5th Mar. to rearrange things ( utopia) then petition in bakruptcy will start.

I wonder when we'll see again at least some of our money.....

Azzurra has no plane anymore, sometimes they fly renting a/c from unmentionable company (hope also the crew).

The worst could have been happened..happened.
Hope our efforts to advertise the situation will be useful...unless....IN GOD WE TRUST!

[iceman51]

Skunkie:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now he has 40 days starting from 5th Feb. to rearrange things ( utopia) then petition in bakruptcy will start.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Should I read this as "... 5th March ..." ? Correct?

To the best of my understanding for Azzurra is now game over.

No money left anywhere (there was any money left before?), no customers, no business-plans, no banks, no ..., simply nothing.

If anybody is interested in learning more about Supermario's 7 Group Plc, please follow this link

7 Group PLC (SVG) Announcements (http://bestinvest.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/index?company=SVG)

to learn more about Supermario's appointment as Director of 7 Group PLC and his (then) current directorship simply go here

Supermario's nomination (http://bestinvest.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200208300923095585A.html)

to discover the latest audited results of 7 Group PLC jump here

AUDITED RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MAY 2002 (http://bestinvest.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200211281447564250E.html)

and to find how they swapped (paid) debt with new shares (someone would argue: real money due with brand new paper money...) simply click here (pls pay attention to the wording of the last period)

Issue of shares and options over shares (http://bestinvest.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200303281541223647J.html)

and, finally, the latest known (to me) address in London (Soho district) of 7 Group PLC:

7 Group plc,
52/54 Broadwick Street,
London, W1V 1FF
Tel: 02074394444

that is here:

http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/ita/dyn/controller/mapPerformPage?strAddress=52+Broadwick+Street&strLocation=Westminster&strCountry=1138&mapId=-.6fdogomkwogh

I hope that a solution will be found shortly for all Azzurra's employees but the situation looks very bad indeed.
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Skunkie]

yep Iceman51, I corrected on March....time is so slow when you don't work and don't see any money......

Legally things will go on for long time and any new is welcome, anyway thanx to all people supporting us and pls, if someone is only ironical....change topics :sad: