MILAN -(Dow Jones)- Italy's almost-bankrupt air carrier, Alitalia SpA (AZA.MI), has about EUR2.3 billion debt, including the EUR300 million bridge-loan paid by the Italian government earlier this year, Alitalia state-appointed commissioner Augusto Fantozzi said Sunday.
Fantozzi said that several creditors, including Italian oil giant Eni SpA (E), are threatening the day-by-day operations of the company. "Some threaten to seize Alitalia airplanes, others don't want to give Alitalia fuel because of outstanding invoices," Fantozzi said.
Fantozzi was speaking on an RAI TV show.
Fantozzi also said that there was a risk that Italian taxpayers would have to contribute because, as of today, he doesn't have enough money to reimburse creditors.
Fantozzi said that as part of the company's plans, he will sell some 50 airplanes and some of Alitalia's real-estate.
Alitalia said Sunday that it is canceling flights because of the ongoing strike by Alitalia staff, including pilots. Some Alitalia union representatives Sunday said that the current situation is not their fault, but rather that Alitalia needs to cut costs.
-By Sabrina Cohen, Dow Jones Newswires, +39 02 58219906; sabrina.cohen@dowjones.com
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 16, 2008 15:24 ET (20:24 GMT)

Publié le 16 novembre 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dowjones