ALITALIA MAY BUY STAKE IN MERIDIANA - 2003-07-14

Alitalia's board of directors is to discuss the possibility of acquiring a partial or controlling stake in Meridiana, the Sardinia-based airline owned by the Aga Khan, at a board meeting on Tuesday. The Aga Khan established Meridiana in 1963 with the aim of encouraging tourism on the Costa Smeralda, Sardinia's upmarket coastal area.