ROME // Alitalia’s chief executive said yesterday that he welcomes a potential acquisition of a stake in Rome’s airport by an Abu Dhabi investment fund.
“We are perfectly aware of the ongoing discussions between Abu Dhabi Investment Authority [Adia] and Aeroporti di Roma. Adia is a suitable stakeholder to be involved in these discussions,” said Silvano Cassano, Alitalia’s new chief executive at a joint press conference held by the Italian national carrier and Etihad Airways in Rome.
“We welcome any investment from Adia in Aeroporti di Roma, but of course we consider ourselves spectators.”
Adia, however, declined to comment when contacted by The National.
The Italian press has previously reported that Atlantia, the company that controls Aeroporti di Roma, is in discussions with several investors from the Arabian Gulf for a potential stake sale.
The company reportedly hired Goldman Sachs and Boston Consulting Group in October to advise on the sale of a 20 per cent holding worth around €800 million (Dh3.4 billion) to interested sovereign and infrastructure funds.
Among the reported bidders are the Kuwait Investment Authority and Qatar Holding.In 2013, according to Airports Council International, Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumucino airport was the world’s 34th busiest with more than 36 million passengers.
The presence of Adia in the discussions follows Etihad's acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in the Italian carrier last year in a deal worth more than €1.7bn.
Investing in European airports falls in line with Adia’s strategy to target fast-growing high cash flow hubs.
It already owns a minority stake in the UK’s Gatwick Airport, which grew at twice the rate of London’s Heathrow last year in terms of passenger numbers.
selgazzar@thenational.ae
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
