Hi there pax poy,
you wrote:
This questions sounds like you might be based in the USA (your profile does not state). There is a continuing belief that European airlines are subsidised by the EU.
Nope. As a matter of fact I am an EU citizen and live in an EU country, (not Italy) And don't worry: I know where my tax money goes. Part of it goes to the EU, and a part of that goes to Italy, and a part of that goes to Alitalia. It might not be very obvious, but I always had the feeling that Alitalia was kept afloat by means of MY tax payments. And this charade has to stop.