Of course they're broke. They have been for years. Perhaps Steven Byers should study them to find out a few things about a not-for-profit organisation, (his big idea for Railtrack). Alitalia has just received a further tranche of state aid, apparently agreed by people in Brussells, who have never had a proper job in a profit-making organisation. The EU is full of folk who are experts at throwing taxpayers money into bottomless pits. We may lament such practices on this Forum, but you cannot teach a dog new tricks. Best to shoot the dog.