Lufthansa says Fiumicino has room to grow
German airline sees airport as gateway to LatAm, Africa
Fiumicino39;s expansion plan awaits Italian regulator approval
Analysts and investors warn of uncertainties in ITA investment

ROMELONDONFRANKFURT, Oct 11 Reuters Lufthansa39;s longpromised turnaround of Italy39;s ITA Airways, crucial to help revive the German airline39;s fortunes, is interlinked with Rome airport Fiumicino39;s ability to implement an ambitious expansion plan.

Struggling with high costs and prolonged delays in Boeing plane deliveries, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr said on Oct. 1 that investing in further international growth which includes the agreed purchase of a 41 stake in Alitalia successor ITA would help to revamp the hardhit Colognebased carrier.

Yet, ITA39;s prospects are closely tied to those of Rome39;s main airport. Fiumicino is still waiting for clearance from Italian airport regulator ENAC to double its capacity to 100 million passengers annually by building a third terminal and more runway space.

One of the reasons that further pushed us to invest in ITA Airways was the quality of Fiumicino. It is one of the few airports in Europe that has capacity for growth, both in terms of terminals and runways, Spohr, who sees the airport as a gateway to Africa and Latin America, said in July.

Aeroporti di Roma ADR is owned by infrastructure group Mundys, controlled by the Italian Benetton family and equity firm Blackstone. The airport manager…