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Alitalia had to cancel 176 flights as the result of a one-day strike by its cabin crews related to a contract dispute.

107 of the canceled flights were international ones.

According to a SeattlePI article,

"The Alitalia strike was staged by Sult, one of several labor confederations representing the airline's staff in contract renewal negotiations. Alitalia said flight attendants would also continue their "sandwich strike" - refusing to serve in-flight snacks and drinks - until Feb. 26.

For 2004, Alitalia said it had an operating loss before interest and taxes of $521 million and has begun a restructuring that includes 3,700 job cuts.

With 62 percent of Alitalia owned by the Italian treasury ministry, its financial troubles have worried the government, which is trying to balance the goal of helping the airline rebound with the demands of Italy's influential unions."

Alitalia shares dropped 0.77%.

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