Flight International Online news 10:00GMT: Italian flag carrier Alitalia has secured a new $445 million financing deal with General Electric unit GE Corporate Banking Europe.

The eight-year finance deal has been guaranteed using 28 Alitalia-owned aircraft. The airline had in October indicated it was considering a proposal to raise the additional funds using its aircraft as collateral as part of its efforts to counter surging fuel costs.

It comes on top of the cash-strapped carrier’s recently-completed capital increase, which raised just over €1 billion ($1.2 billion).

GRAHAM DUNN / LONDON

Source: Flight International