Union says Alitalia pilots could go to Abu Dhabi

(See related) (ANSA) - Rome, June 19 - More than 100 airline pilots with Alitalia could be offered a chance to move to Abu Dhabi to fly for Etihad Airways under its proposed deal with the Italian carrier, a union said Thursday.
    As many as 122 pilots could be among the 2,251 layoffs that Etihad is demanding from Alitalia if it proceeds with its investment of 560 million euros in the cash-strapped carrier.
    Marco Veneziani of Uiltrasporti, representing pilots, said that talks have begun on transferring some pilots from Alitalia to fly for Etihad from its base in the United Arab Emirates.
    "There is a discussion about sending redundant pilots from Alitalia on a voluntary basis," he said, adding that Etihad needs as many as 500 pilots. Unions representing Alitalia workers have said they will not accept Etihad's demands for job cuts.