di Leonard Berberi
Dubai carrier close to winning approval for a fifth-freedom link that could siphon traffic from Lufthansa, Air France-Klm and other European groups racing to build out Latin American networks
Emirates, the Gulf carrier, is preparing to receive approval to operate a direct route between Milan Malpensa and Lima, Peru, by drawing on an amendment to the bilateral air services agreement between Italy and the United Arab Emirates. The route would add to São Paulo, Brazil — currently the only South American destination served from northern Italy’s main airport — and would also bring economic benefits to the region. But it risks creating no small headache for Ita Airways, which is working from its Rome Fiumicino hub to expand its own operations in that part of the world, Corriere della Sera has learned from sources familiar with the regulatory process.
The Emirati carrier has not yet received final sign-off from regulators, but only the last signature is said to be missing on the extension of the so-called “fifth freedom” regime, the sources say. The route — covering both passenger traffic and belly cargo — is expected to be authorised in time for next winter season,
