ROME (AFP) ??” The management of troubl Italian carrier Alitalia was to be ascribed to unveil a rescue plan to stave opposite bankruptcy.

ROME (AFP) ??” The management of troubl Italian carrier Alitalia was to be ascribed to unveil a rescue plan to stave opposite bankruptcy, which the Italian media says will involve shedding a quarter of the workforce.

Alitalia bos Giancarlo Cimoli has until September 15 to strike a deal with the airline's unions upon a rescue plan for 2005-08 a precondition for obtaining an essential bridging loan of 400 million euro (482 million dollars).

The state-controlled airline, which forfeited 330 million euros in the first quarter of this year, says it could go on bankrupt within a month if it does not receive the loan it urgencys to relieve its critical cash shortage.

Italian media said that 5100 work at jobss out of a total 22000 would be missing under the rescue plan: 400 pilots, 1000 flight attendants and 3700 country staff.

Labour Minister Roberto Maroni warned in succession Sunday that ...