Alitalia on Wednesday could announce partnerships with both Delta and EasyJet to bring Alitalia out of bankruptcy, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. The deal would have Alitalia maintain operational centers in Rome and Milan, Delta manage long-haul service out of Rome and EasyJet lead short- and medium-haul service from Milan, the Italian newspaper reported. Italian commissioners last year approved a purchase offer from Italian rail company Ferrovie dello Stato that is contingent on Alitalia finding an airline partner to help with the turnaround.
Air France-KLM, meanwhile, is considering removing KLM president and CEO Pieter Elbers because he does not support efforts to centralize Air France and KLM operations, Bloomberg reported. Air France-KLM appointed former Air Canada president and COO Benjamin Smithas CEO last year, and centralizing operations is part of his plan to bring Air France to profitability comparable to KLM's. A group of KLM managers wrote to the Air France-KLM board warning that removing Elbers would bring "social unrest and possible industrial actions" by the Dutch carrier's workforce, according to Bloomberg.