Agreed that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are being socialized; they were never truly private though. They were always democratic party playthings. American democratics sometimes dally in socialist adventures because unfortunately many people vote for them; that doesn't make socialism right.

Kevin Finnerty, Atlanta, USA

Yes, Alitalia was a national symbol of Italy, but hardly something to be proud of.

Bill Peter, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kevin Finnerty of Atlanta USA is in an ideological warp. Like most Americans he thinks Europe is socialist. However, the USA, the bastion of free market economics, has a totally socialist financial sector: The government guarantees more than half of all mortgage debt, and most bank deposits. Why?

Matthew, New York City, USA

Italy's problems are always special. It doesn't live in the real world.

Sophos, London, UK

Never underestimate the incredible stupidity of unionized mentality.
Instead of making do with a little bit less, they always refuse to comprmise.
They never heard of the phrase-"a half a loaf is better than nothing."
They are finally getting their just deserts.

Robert Postuma, Montreal, Canada

What about Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac, Kevin? Or are you telling us that Bush is an African dictators? However, I hope this is really the end, the end of a play with no good guys and many black hats.

Vittorio Caffe', Rome, Italy

80% of your salary for 8 years for losing your job, I'll have some of that

Ted, London,

Whenever I fly these days, the plane is always full, and the tickets are very expensive. So why don't they try putting the price up some more until the planes are not quite full? And make loadsa more money. I know a nothing about economics but it seems a pretty simple to me.

Dave Edgars, Madrid, Spain

17,000 extra jobs to go (excluding those in support industries I suppose) without any of the generous redundancy terms that were on offer. Still, I suppose that other airlines will pick up the slack so hopefully some people will get new jobs. Not all in Italy though perhaps. Bravissimo unions

Guy, London,

A salutory lesson for airline labour unions the world over who lose sight of the reason for their existence - to protect and promote their member's interests, yes, but not at any cost! Who is the winner here?

Mark Darby, CEO LIAT Airlines, Antigua,

This goes to show that unions will rather lose its members jobs and livlihoods, than actually seriously negotiate to save jobs and careers.

This is what killed the british car industry people need to learn from the past!

kush, hook, uk

I think that this should be a warning for Greece's Olympic airlines which can be found to be in the same situation.

Anthony, Athens, Greece

Alitalia RIP. The flights were safe, the stewardesses were charming and inattentive, the MD-80s were cozy and they had the cute belly button exit, and Alitalia was an enduring post-war emblem of Italy. But Alitalia never adapted to the needs of the modern traveler.

Nerone, London,

nice one unions.......they would rather see the company go bankrupt and lose everyone's jobs than take a pay cut....that beggars belief...

aaron, london,

Can anyone argue against Maggie putting a stop to the power of Trade Unions in this country? Here is a typical Union reaction to a company in dire straits and the blinkered fools would rather bring the company down than do a deal. Anyone remember the loony Leland Motors Works Committee?

D Case, Newquay,

....good old Trade Unionism once again managing to wreck not only their own members lives but all the poor people who have paid money for flights! But atleast they have stood firm, and it now looks like this airlines going to the wall!

Julian, Yeovil, England

dear kevin from Atlanta,

Now, try and tell me that your government does not "sponsorise" boeing....

Delia, Paris,Fr.,

How am I not surprised of all this? Those unions should understand the finality of the situation when they aren't given a redundancy cheque more than 2 weeks. If that. I'm hoping that the individualistic union folks see the wrong of their ways. Me before we? Well, we'll see how that works out.

Sara , Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

kevin finnerty

while i agree with you wholeheartedly our governments cant really say much as we have northern rock and you have fannie and freddie. (cant help giggling about a company called fannie!) not to mention AIG.

i cannot believe the stupidty of unions tho - hillarious

will, grimsby, uk

Well said Kevin - let's add Fannie, Freddie and AIG to that list...

Hugh, London,

Italy doesn't need Alitalia. It's a national embarassment for us. Good riddance to the aeronautical equivalent of British Leyland and the terrible unions. I personally want to fly on modern planes where I can rely on good service and modern planes.

Nikki, Hong Kong,

The Pope always flew Alitalia and that's why he,and his predecessor before him,as soon as they had landed,walked down the gangway and threw themselves on the ground prostrate and kissed the tarmac. One Pope said "If you flew AlItalia,you'd understand why!)
Mamma mia!

james allen, manchester, england

I take it Kevin Finnerty opposes his government's nationalisation of AIG. At the moment the United States is leading the world in nationalisation of companies and state intervention in the markets.

kath, Nottingham, England

There will be no more tax-payer subsidized flights of the rich and trendy people traveling between Rome and Milan every day. It's amazing what the Italian tax payer tolerates.

Nerone, London,

Kevin, what about the US airlines that are protected by the US government from the 'Open Skies' policy and foreign competition. Not allowing Asian and European airlines the same opportunity to fly in t he US as the US airlines in Europe? A protected and pampered US industry. Chapter 11 awaits them.

Jim Hunter, Bonn, Germany

Good point, Kevin Finnerty. Unfortunately, the playthings of African dictators are paid for by you and me via international development funds.

Charles Smyth, Belfast, Norhern Ireland

I suppose the same could be said for socialist national financial institutions and insurance firms like Bear-Sterns, Lehman Brothers, and AIG...

J Kelly, San Francisco, USA

I second that.

Albert Hall, stanion,

Dear Henri from Montottone,
Alitalia had the best trained pilots, staff and the best meccanics. And not a single accident!!!
Corrupt politicians destroyed it.

Andrea, Palermo, Italy

Lighten up kevin! I can only say that everytime I flew with Alitalia, it was a pleasent experience. The staff were helpful and they always tried there best to give me the best service. I feel sorry if they end up closing down....and Kevin I won't feel any sympathy if any American carrier goes bust!

David May, London, U..K

Then they wonder why Italy has the highest rate of tax evasion in Europe. If Market Rules had been respected, Alitalia would have gone bankrupt several years ago. But our Mafia governments have been pumping in our taxpayers' money and hadn't it been for the EU they would have continued to do so.

Horace, Florence, Tuscany, Italy

As most things italian, this is an opera in many acts, and lets just hope that this is definitively and truly curtains closed on this sad and quite terrible airline. It will not be missed.

Henri, Montottone,

Good riddance. There is no place in the Western world for socialist-national airlines or any other socialized industry. Let them remain the playthings of African dictators.

Kevin Finnerty, Atlanta, USA