STATE HANDOUTS The Italian finance ministry has received the go-ahead from the European Commission (EC) to complete its recapitalisation of Alitalia. The EC has authorised the remaining L750 billion ($350 million) tranche from a L2,750 billion programme announced in 1997. The EC had been expected to reject the payment, as state aid to airlines is illegal under European Union competition law. Approving the money, EC transport commissioner Loyola de Palacio says that it is the last money the Italian flag carrier can receive.
Source: Flight International