Alitalia is ending its partnership with Air France-KLM.<br /><br /> In a statement, CEO Silvano Cassano of Italy’s national carrier said the tie-up, due to end in 2017, was no longer “strategically or commercially beneficial” to the firm’s ambitious turnaround plan.<br /><br /> The move will affect various agreements on sales, markets and cargo services. <br /><br /> It is of little surprise to industry insiders as it comes after Alitalia recent deal with Etihad Airlines. <br /><br /> Etihad Airways adopted a 49% stake in the ailing airline in January in a deal worth €560 million, to become the company’s largest stakeholder. Crucially, it also gives the Gulf carrier a strategic foothold in the European market.
