Alitalia Posts Smaller First Quarter Loss

Alitalia said on Tuesday its quarterly loss narrowed from a year earlier, when strikes weighed heavily on its results.

The airline reported an operating loss of €107 million euros ($145 million) in the first quarter, down from a loss of €129 million ($175 million) a year earlier.

The airline, hampered by frequent strikes and political meddling, has been put up for sale by the Italian government in a final attempt to turn it around. Three bidders have been shortlisted in its auction.