The Italian government will take full control of Alitalia in June, which the coronavirus crisis has pushed into bankruptcy, Industry Minister Stefano Patuanelli announced on Thursday.
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The company has been managed by public administrators since May 2017 and the difficulties caused by the pandemic have been compounded by deep financial problems, which has compromised plans to sell to private investors. According to Stefano Patuanelli, Alitalia's turnover has decreased by 87.5% this year. " The new Alitalia will start with a fleet of more than 90 of its 113 current aircraft, " he said, denying reports that the fleet could be reduced to 30 aircraft.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimated last week that airline losses due to the coronavirus crisis could amount to $ 314 billion this year.
