Alitalia risks collapse after airline staff reject restructuring

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Italian flag-carrier Alitalia has reportedly missed out on its last chance to avoid being placed under administration, after employees voted against job reductions and pay cuts. The measures, part of a $2.2bn refinancing package, were rejected by roughly 70% of staff, according to Bloomberg, despite job-loss numbers being trimmed from 2,000 to 1,600. Economic development minister Carlo Calenda said a “no” vote would likely prompt the Italian government to step in as a special administrator for the company before it was liquidated in about six months. The news will come as a blow to shareholder Eithad, which has struggled to turn the carrier around.