I should like to raise a few points concerning the article 'Renaissance or Rigor Mortis' (Airline Business, November).
I am surprised that such an important article is based upon information from sources which I would define as inappropriate - namely a former chairman of Alitalia ousted by the shareholder and Sulta, the only union out of nine which has so far refused to cooperate with the company.
I agree with you that Alitalia is experiencing difficult times. But quoting Schisano's statements such as 'Alitalia will hobble along . . . until the next crisis in a few years . . . and that will be the final showdown' reveal more of a slight sense of resentment rather than a fair opinion on the future of our company. (Wasn't he the same person who two and a half years ago gave Alitalia only 500 days of life?)
At the moment we are under the scrutiny of the European Commission, which I believe deserves all the time to judge our recapitalisation programme in detail without any interference. This is why we have declined to comment.
Finally, may I ask why, when reporting on Italian affairs, there is a fashion to describe issues in such dramatic language? Wouldn't you agree that images of tombstones or cemeteries and expressions such as Roman Ruins and Rigor Mortis are more suitable for an English gothic novel than for Airline Business? This use of colourful imagery and tired cliches creates a great impact but is hardly appropriate in a distinguished publication such as yours.
Enrico Lepri
Press office manager
Alitalia
Rome, Italy.
[Our article was intended to provide a balanced view of Alitalia's prospects - Ed]
Source: Airline Business
