Etihad Chief Mulls Alitalia Deal to Cap Empire of the Ailing
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From Serbia to the Seychelles, Etihad Airways Chief James Hogan is being greeted as a savior for his willingness to bail out cash-strapped carriers.
Since 2011 the Australian has acquired stakes in seven companies spanning Aer Lingus on Europe’s western fringe to Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd. on the shores of the Pacific, feeding more traffic via Abu Dhabi, Etihad’s desert hub with a population of less than 1 million. His next move may be the boldest yet: Alitalia SpA, a carrier dogged by bloated payrolls, state meddling and chronic losses.