Alitalia plan must guarantee jobs - transport minister

(ANSA) - Rome, July 17 - Transport and Infrastructure Minister Danilo Toninelli said Wednesday that the industrial plan for the new Alitalia must ensure that jobs at the airline are protected. State railway operator Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) is coordinating a consortium that also features highways operator Atlantia, Delta, and the Treasury to take over the former flag carrier, which has been in extraordinary administration for two years.
    He told the Lower House that the industrial plan for the new Alitalia "will have to concretely, effectively revive the company in the medium-long term and guarantee employment levels". The industry ministry on Wednesday confirmed reports that it has set a deadline of September 15 for FS to present a binding offer and a new industrial plan.
    Toninelli, a member of the 5-Star Movement (M5S), also said that Alitalia should be used "to get to anything else" when asked about Atlantia's involvement. Atlantia is the parent company of highways company Autostrade per l'Italia (ASPI) and is controlled by the Benetton family.
    The government has said the company is responsible for the collapse of the Morandi-bridge disaster in Genoa last year because it failed to take the necessary action to prevent the disaster that claimed 43 lives.
    Deputy Premier and 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Luigi Di Maio said the operation changes nothing about the government's intention to strip Atlantia of highway concessions after the disaster.