ALITALIA JOINS NORTHWEST/KLM ALLIANCE

ALITALIA JOINS NORTHWEST/KLM ALLIANCE

   Alitalia Italian Airlines has said it will join the Northwest/KLM
transatlantic joint venture.
   As part of the agreement, the three airlines are making a joint
application to the U.S. Department of Transportation to seek immunity from
U.S. antitrust laws. The request is similar to one filed by Northwest and
KLM in 1993 and will allow the airlines to coordinate their transatlantic
route networks, improve efficiencies, including creating and implementing
joint cargo services.