LONDON -Robert Colannino, the chief executive of scooter maker Piaggio, seems the most likely choice to become chairman of the "new" Alitalia, after a group of investors help relaunch the airline.
The 65-year-old executive is among a group of 16 investors, who include some of Italy's biggest names. Among them are the Ligresti family, which controls Italian insurer Fondiaria-SAI; and Carlo Toto, the head of rival Air One airline, according to Italian press reports on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Despite the heavyweight backing, getting Alitalia (other-otc: ALAIF - news - people )back on track is no small feat. Colaninno's résumé presents a mixed picture of whether he would be up to the challenge. Sogefin, the auto parts maker he founded over two decades ago, is now a successful, 116.2 million euro ($170.6 million) cap company.
