Ryanair lodge complaint with EU over Alitalia rescue

The Alitalia survival story which seems intent on chasing 'War and Peace' for the title of Epic of the Century took yet another turn today just as it seemed that the Italian labour unions had finally signed up to supporting the latest rescue package. Ryanair today lodged a complaint with the EU against Italy's rescue deal for the national carrier. "This is the latest and perhaps most blatent example of the Italian government doing whatever it takes to protect their failed airline", said Ryanair director Jim Callaghan. The EU Commission said the complaint from Ryanair will be addressed in the same meticulous way as any other it receives. If the EU backs the rescue deal in Italy, Ryanair have threatened to take the case to the European court. Since it's founding in 1946, Alitalia have registered profit on only one occassion - in 1998.