Italy’s flag carrier, Alitalia, is set to receive a $3.3 million cash injection from the Italian government as it plans on nationalizing the carrier.
In March, the Italian government approved a $27 billion stimulus package to tackle the COVID-19 crisis, with $542 million directed to the aviation industry, the bulk of which would go to Alitalia.
According to the country’s Industry Minister, Stefano Patuanelli, the government’s intention isn’t to make another bailout, but to relaunch the flag carrier. He reiterates that under state control, the airline will focus on long-haul routes, alongside new transatlantic alliances.
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Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Labour ministry has allowed the airline to place 6,622 of its workers on a temporary layoff scheme until later in October.
Alitalia is the flag carrier of Italy, with headquarters in Fiumicino, Rome. Its main hub is Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, Rome, and a secondary is Linate Airport, Milan. The airline also has direct flights to Johannesburg, Casablanca, Algeria, Tunis, and Cairo.
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