Italy appoints new administrator for struggling Alitalia

Italy’s industry ministry appointed on Friday a new temporary administrator for Alitalia, after his three predecessors ended their mandate without finding a solution for the struggling airline. After a consortium of potential rescuers backtracked, the appointment of Giuseppe Leogrande allows Rome to unlock a further loan of E400m needed to keep the loss-making carrier in business and potentially increase the chances of a future tie-up with German rival Lufthansa. Sources had said last month that Industry Minister Stefano Patuanelli would ask the current administrators - Daniele Discepolo, Enrico Laghi and Stefano Paleari - to quit to make room for a single administrator with more powers. A consortium of potential investors - comprising Italian railways group Ferrovie dello Stato, infrastructure group Atlantia and Delta - decided not to present a binding offer for Alitalia last month after months of negotiations.<br/>