Four major Alitalia unions have backed a takeover of the airline's assets by Italian investor group CAI.
Four major Alitalia unions have backed a takeover of the airline's assets by Italian investor group CAI.
The unions dropped their objections to CAI's rescue plan for the Italian flag-carrier at a meeting in Rome.
The unions dropped their objections to CAI's rescue plan for the Italian flag-carrier at a meeting in Rome.
Alitalia had been in danger of losing its licence if it had failed to present a rescue plan by the end of the day.
Alitalia had been in danger of losing its licence if it had failed to present a rescue plan by the end of the day.
Any deal must still win the backing of unions representing pilots and flight assistants if the troubled airline is to be salvaged.
Any deal must still win the backing of unions representing pilots and flight assistants if the troubled airline is to be salvaged.
The Cgil, one of the key unions that had previously rejected the deal, said it was "moderately optimistic" that it would sign up to a framework deal.
The Cgil, one of the key unions that had previously rejected the deal, said it was "moderately optimistic" that it would sign up to a framework deal.
After weeks of wrangling, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is attempting to get the remaining unions to agree to CAI's offer.
After weeks of wrangling, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is attempting to get the remaining unions to agree to CAI's offer.
Losing money
Losing money
Four unions have agreed to the group's terms, five unions have yet to sign up.
Four unions have agreed to the group's terms, five unions have yet to sign up.
CAI withdrew its offer for Alitalia last week after some unions rejected the deal because of fears about jobs cuts.
CAI withdrew its offer for Alitalia last week after some unions rejected the deal because of fears about jobs cuts.
CAI aims to inject $1.4bn (£755m) into the bankrupt airline, sell off unprofitable assets and merge the rest with Italy's second biggest carrier Air One.
CAI aims to inject $1.4bn (£755m) into the bankrupt airline, sell off unprofitable assets and merge the rest with Italy's second biggest carrier Air One.
The carrier is estimated to be losing more than 2m euros ($2.9m; £1.58m) a day.
The carrier is estimated to be losing more than 2m euros ($2.9m; £1.58m) a day.
Earlier this week, the administrator for the airline placed advertisements in four newspapers in a bid to attract buyers for the carrier.
Earlier this week, the administrator for the airline placed advertisements in four newspapers in a bid to attract buyers for the carrier.
Have you been affected by Alitalia's current situation? Do you have plans to fly with the airline? Send us your stories using the form below.
Have you been affected by Alitalia's current situation? Do you have plans to fly with the airline? Send us your stories using the form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
