Will the Benettons use Alitalia to fly in from the cold?

Italian transport group Atlantia could join a rescue of loss-making Alitalia to try to win favour with the govt and secure the future of its own domestic business following a deadly bridge collapse last year, sources said. Atlantia, controlled by the Benetton family, faces the loss of its entire national motorway concession in a bitter dispute with the govt, which erupted after last year's disaster on its toll network killed 43 people. The govt blamed Atlantia for the tragedy, saying it had failed to adequately maintain the aging bridge, and vowed to revoke the concession, worth 58% of group revenue. However, sources familiar with the matter said Atlantia could mend relations with the govt by joining a rescue of Alitalia, which Rome is desperate to save, and possibly be rewarded with a reprieve on its motorway concession. <br/>