Etihad Airways chief James Hogan declined to comment on Sunday on the progress of talks to acquire a stake in Italy’s debt-laden national carrier Alitalia. “I’ve got no comment,” Hogan told a news conference in Abu Dhabi when asked if the talks were still on.
Italian media had reported that Alitalia’s chief Gabriele Del Torchio will travel to Abu Dhabi on Monday. A source close to the negotiations told AFP last month that it was “optimistic” to think an offer could be imminent, and said that talks that had taken place between Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Hogan were “a good sign”.
Italian Transport Minister Maurizio lupi said in April that an assessment of Alitalia’s accounts had been completed and hinted that an offer from Etihad could be imminent. The two airlines have been in contact since December, and in February said they had entered a “final phase” in the process. However, Alitalia is laden with debts and the negotiations have been complicated.