ROME (AP) — The CEO of Etihad Airways said on Sunday the United
Arab Emirates' national airline is looking forward to clinching
a proposed deal involving a big stake in struggling Italian
carrier Alitalia.  The two airlines said in a joint statement
that Etihad Airways confirmed that it will send a letter
detailing conditions for a proposed equity investment.
Negotiations have lasted for months. It quoted Etihad Airways
CEO James Hogan as saying "we are delighted to be able to move
forward with this process" and look forward to its successful
conclusion.  Italian Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi told
Italy's state RaiNews in an interview that Etihad's investment
could amount to about 600 million euros (about $820 million),
and would revitalize Rome's Fiumicino and Milan's Malpensa
airports.  Italian news reports have said a deal would likely
see banks renegotiating more than 500 million euros ($700
million) in debt, canceling some and converting the rest into
shares. Italian unions might resist layoffs that l