according to the carrier, after Italy's competition authority ordered Alitalia to surrender seven slots on the route to its competitor. The Italian flag carrier currently is the only airline serving Fiumicino-Linate, described by easyJet as "the last great monopoly route in Europe." The news follows Thursday's award to easyJet by the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority of the rights to fly London Gatwick-Moscow Domodedovo, and easyJet indicated it would launch two daily services in spring 2013. The rights became available after
British Airways' parent company this year bought BMI. Both BA and BMI served the route, which two U.K .airlines are entitled to fly. Virgin Atlantic also had applied for the rights, though to fly from Heathrow, and said it would review the CAA decision with a view to a legal challenge. CAA has allowed BA to continue its Moscow service from Heathrow without change.