Ex-Ferrari president is new Alitalia head: Reports

ROME - Ferrari's former long-time chairman Luca Di Montezemolo has been chosen to head up Italy's national carrier Alitalia, Italian media reported Thursday.

The decision was taken during a board meeting on Wednesday.

Etihad Airways - which signed a deal in August to save the troubled Italian airline from bankruptcy - will see its chief executive James Hogan also become Alitalia's vice president, the reports said without citing a source.

The Italian flagship carrier refused to comment. Montezemolo was ousted from his role as president of flashy sports brand Ferrari in September after 23 years amid a strategy clash with the board.