Abu Dhabi – Mubasher: European carrier Alitalia on Saturday said it has reduced its losses in 2015 by 65.47% or €381 million to €199.1 million, compared to €580 million in 2014.

“Return to profitability in 2017 remains our goal. Today’s results show that Alitalia has become more efficient in controlling costs and is on track for profitability by 2017," highlighted the Italian carrier’s chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.

He added that FY15 results show that the Italian airline "has become more efficient in controlling costs."

According to the statement, Alitalia carried 22.1 million passengers, a load factor of 76.2% in 2015. The airline's fleet includes 122 jets.

Alitalia is 49%-owned by Etihad Airways, which in turn is 100%-owned by the government of Abu Dhabi.