When Italy’s national airline Alitalia stopped flying in 2021 after decades of losses and numerous brushes with bankruptcy, it was the end of an era. The green, red and white-striped flag carrier favored by popes and glitterati like Sophia Loren was replaced by state-backed ITA Airways, with a fraction of Alitalia’s fleet and staff and a simplified network. Competing with budget carriers in a crowded market — and amid a global pandemic — proved tough, however. With a forecast for years of contin