Lufthansa said it is still interested in acquiring a stake in beleaguered Alitalia, but only after Alitalia finishes its ambitious restructuring process. Tuesday, the airline's leadership met with Italian minister of Economic Development Stefano Patuanelli and trade union leaders to discuss the new development, according to the ministry. A deal that would have seen Delta take over Alitalia in conjunction with Italian state rail operator Ferrovie dello Stato and highway and road operator Atlantia fell through after both Delta and Atlantia had second thoughts. And a similar potential deal with Lufthansa also failed to gain traction. Tuesday, officials from Lufthansa said they remain interested in the Italian company once it cuts its losses, reduce its workforce, and increase efficiencies. <br/>
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Lufthansa would be burdened most among leading European airlines should the EU introduce a kerosene tax as part of the planned Green Deal, writes Spiegel Online based on calculations by the Institute for Applied Ecology (Öko-Institut). Lufthansa would face extra costs of E2.5b should all its fuel be taxed with 33 cents per litre – the minimum tax rate for kerosene, which the EU stipulated in its 2003 Energy Tax Directive but with exemptions for commercial aviation companies. For the whole group – including Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings and others – it would add up to E4.2b, Spiegel says. Lufthansa said the sum would decrease somewhat, as part of its kerosene was fuelled outside the EU. <br/>
Sir John Key has resigned from the board of Air NZ with his last day being March 31. Air NZ chairman Dame Therese Walsh said Key indicated earlier in 2019 that 2020 would possibly be his last as a director due to increasing commitments on his professional time in New Zealand and overseas. Walsh said Key made a significant contribution to Air NZ. "Sir John's outstanding commercial acumen, international perspectives and stakeholder network have been incredibly valuable to Air NZ and we are fortunate to have had him as a member of our board," Walsh said. Key joined the airline's board Sept 1, 2017 after resigning as prime minister of New Zealand in 2016. Before leaving Air NZ, Key will get 2 months to work alongside incoming CE Greg Foran. <br/>