Struggling Alitalia in talks with Etihad, Aeroflot?

Alitalia Boeing B777-200ER / © Tsung TsenTsan

Alitalia is reported to be in talks with Etihad Airways on a commercial deal that may even lead to the Abu Dhabi-based carrier taking a stake in the loss-making Italian national carrier. 

Citing unnamed sources, local paper, il Sole 24 Ore, said there have been "several meetings" in Abu Dhabi in recent weeks between rank executives at both airlines, including recently appointed Alitalia CEO, Gabriele del Torchio. 

Neither airline however commented on the development. Aeroflot has also made an approach though details of the purported talks are still sketchy. 

Alitalia, which is 25 percent owned by Air France-KLM, was rescued from bankruptcy in 2008, when it was bought by a consortium of Italian companies including the Intesa Sanpaolo bank, highway operator, Atlantia, and holding company, 

IMMSI. In its industrial plan presented in July, the new CEO said the company planned to increase its financial resources by EUR300million (USD400million) by the end of this year.

Source: CH-Aviation