The merger between United
Arab Emirates carrier Etihad and troubled Italian airline
Alitalia "was an excellent deal for Alitalia", Etihad CEO James
Hogan said Thursday.
Etihad has invested 560 million euros for a 49% stake in
Alitalia, with the transaction due to be completed "by the end
of the month", Hogan said.
"For the next three years, we will focus on restructuring
Alitalia," he added, expressing the hope of ongoing cooperation
with Air France and Dutch carrier KLM.
Hogan is set to become vice-president of the new Alitalia,
with former Ferrari chief Luca Cordero di Montezemolo at the
helm.
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