Italy’s four main unions have reached an initial agreement with a potential buyer which could rescue Alitalia from collapse.
The CGIL, CISL, UIL and UGL unions have clinched a deal with CAI, a consortium prepared to invest in a new national Italian airline. As part of the 1 billion euro deal, Alitalia would merge with Air One, the country’s second largest airline.
The rescue plan would mean about 3,000 job cuts, with the new Alitalia employing a slimmed-down 12,500 people.
However, five other unions oppose the deal.
Last-minute rescue talks were taking place overnight in Rome and a further meeting is scheduled for midday today.
The airline faces liquidation if a deal is not reached and has said it is already running out of money to buy aviation fuel.