ROME (AP) — Italy’s economics minister promised to discuss the future of Milan’s Malpensa hub with local officials to defuse tensions over the expected downsizing of the airport if loss-making carrier Alitalia is sold to Air France-KLM. Air France-KLM has said that if it takes over Alitalia it will significantly scale down Malpensa, keeping Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci as its sole international hub in Italy. Padoa-Schioppa added, however, that “the problem with Malpensa is neither Alitalia nor Air France. Ever since its revamping and reopening as an international hub in 1998, Malpensa has been plagued by flight delays, logistical difficulties and a scandal years ago when some of its employees were allegedly stealing from luggage. The Northern League — a party with a strong regional identity — has threatened strikes and blockades in opposition to the Air France-KLM bid. read more

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