Italy's Alitalia airline is in talks with Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways on possible investment opportunities, according to Reuters Sunday.
Alitalia's Chief Executive Gabriele Del Torchio told reporters that other options are under discussion as well, "but it’s too early to comment. There are various options (on the table),” he told journalists after a board meeting.
Etihad may invest as much as $410 million (300 million euros) to ensure that the struggling Italian airline remains operational, according to Reuter's political source earlier this week.
The Italian government has been keeping a watchful eye on the dealings, with the government issuing an official statement saying that "Alitalia is a strategic asset and ensuring that Italian citizens and the economy are served with domestic, European and intercontinental connections that are efficient and adequate for the growth of the country remain [the government's] fundamental objective."
The government hopes the struggling airline is "integrated into a 'global network'" through this and related investment deals, but continues to emphasize the necessity to "safeguard country interests."
