Alitalia posted a net loss of €130 million ($147.67 million) in the first half of 2015, a result it said was better than its budget had forecast. Despite the losses, the airline said it would return to profit in 2017. The losses were a key factor in the resignation of its chief executive, Silvano Cassano, after less than a year in the role.
The Italian carrier said its losses widened by about €30 million in the second quarter, citing the impact of a fire at Rome's main airport, Fiumicino, which cost it about €80 million.
Cassano had been chosen as chief executive of the new company formed when Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways agreed to buy a 49% stake in Alitalia as part of a €1.76 billion ($2 billion) rescue plan.
