Air France to take over Alitalia?

Has anyone seen this article regarding Air France and Alitalia?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/24/busin ... 24air.html

Alitalia certainly needs it. I didn't know that they "[had] not made an operating profit since 1998." Wow.

I was shocked about that too when I read the article. I flew them this past May and US to Italy was a nice smooth ride from EWR. Now when I flew from Rome to Trieste and back to Rome in their MD-80 class, the rides were terrible. They reminded me of bad NYC taxi rides! That fleet you can tell has been through a lot! But I think they're in the process of working something out to replace the MD fleet. A319 or 320's possibly, I'm not sure.

Alitalia has been having a really rough time competing with the LCCs in their area. The way that KLM and Air France have been able to sustain is by relying on their international routes, which only account for a third of Alitalia's operations.

Alitalia's other efforts to cut costs have been prevented due to union battles.

OK,
Were all going to HAVE TO make weekly donations to AZ.
Phil, starting with you, your cigar money.

This would be too much to bear if Italy's national carrier gets flushed!

Well, if AF does acquire Alitalia, least we know the a/c cleaning regimen will be similar. ;)