Italy's Di Maio sees no risk of failure for Alitalia package

Italian Deputy PM Luigi Di Maio said he sees no risk of failure for talks with EasyJet and Delta to relaunch struggling airline Alitalia. “I am very confident because of what I have seen up to now,” Di Maio said. He said the Italian Treasury should take a stake of no more than 15% in the new company, calling the package “a relaunch not a rescue.” “This is a market operation in which Ferrovie dello Stato is drawing up an industrial plan with EasyJet and Delta Air Lines,” Di Maio said, referring to the state rail operator. "So it will be their industrial plan which decides which players are involved." Efforts to salvage Alitalia are being spearheaded by Di Maio, of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, the League’s partner in a fractious populist coalition. Finance Minister Giovanni Tria has said the Treasury will only consider taking a stake in Alitalia if talks between potential investors produce a strong business plan. Speaking to lawmakers last week, Tria confirmed that talks between Delta, EasyJet and Ferrovie are under way.<br/>