New Alitalia up and flying by Dec 1: administrator

ROME (AFP) - The relaunched Alitalia should be operational by December 1 when its foreign partner will have been chosen, the administrator for the CAI group that is taking over the Italian flag carrier said.

With CAI finalising its acquisition of the loss-making airline, Air France, Lufthansa and British Airways have been approached to take a minority stake.

Rocco Sabelli told the Republicca newspaper that a foreign partner "will be in place by November or December" and that he has "a mandate to find the best commercial solution".

He declined to say what the outcome might be.

"There is no link between the partner and the hub that will be used," he added. "Air France doesn't mean Fiumicino airport (in Rome) and Lufthansa doesn't mean Milan. We are free to elaborate on our strategy."

Umberto Bossi, leader of the far-right Northern League, a partner in Silvio Berlusconi's government, reiterated his support Saturday for Lufthansa to be chosen as Alitalia's partner.

Only a tie-up with the German air carrier would allow for future development of Malpensa airport in Milan, he said.