Troubled airline could be saved

Italian carrier Alitalia has been given a lifeline after it emerged it could be taken over, according to reports.

The BBC has reported that the CAI consortium has reached an agreement with the last union which blocked proposed cost-cutting measures in the initial bid.

While the unions have not yet agreed to the terms of the £800 million takeover, CAI is said to have won their approval.

"We'll make a decision based on industrial logic between Air France and Lufthansa," chief executive Rocco Sabelli told the Times, referring to their revised decision to partner another airline in operating Alitalia in the future.

"What's certain is that control will remain in Italian hands and the partner will have a minority stake," he added.

A provisional date of November 1st has been mentioned for the re-start of the airline's services, although as yet nothing has been confirmed.

Alitalia currently flies to a number of larger and regional hubs in the UK, including Humberside Airport and Cardiff Airport.

Posted by Graham Greenaway on the 30/09/2008 12:45:28
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