Alitalia chairman ready to quit after industrial plan approved: source

Alitalia Chairman Luca di Montezemolo is ready to leave his position at the loss-making airline after the board approves a new industrial plan, a source close to the situation said Tuesday. The Alitalia board will meet Wednesday to discuss the new plan, the source added. Alitalia's controlling shareholder Etihad Airways, which has a 49 percent stake, is pushing for deep job cuts. The airline's financial losses and failure to fend off low-cost competition is widely blamed on years of poor management.<br/>