Alitalia employees at risk

At least 2,000 jobs out of the 12,800 Alitalia has, are in jeopardy. The Italian airline has been struggling for a while and the deal with Etihad Airways puts more than 2,000 employes at risk.

Atihad Airways promised to invest more than half a billion euros in the entire airline, but it needs some cuts. Alitalia is facing bankruptcy and the only way to get out of it is getting the funds from the Emirati airline.

The Italian flag carrier airline is ready to sell 49 percent stake to Etihad, but it will need to go through a painful restructuring procedure. “There is no alternative. The restructuring procedure will be complex, tiring and painful,” said Gabriele del Torchio, Alitalia's chief executive. 

In the beginning the deal allegedly demanded the cut of 2,500 jobs, but the figure dropped to 2,200 which is still high. “It will take only a few weeks to conclude the deals with Etihad. This deal would send an important signal to foreign investors,” del Torchio added.