Italy just took full ownership of its national airline Alitalia to save it from collapse amid the coronavirus crisis. Here's the carrier's full troubled history.

Alitalia was re-nationalized by the Italian government in March after privatization efforts backed by Etihad Airways largely failed.
The flag carrier has served Italy since the end of World War II and has long struggled with profitability.
The final straw for the government came as the coronavirus crisis sent Italy under lockdown and the airline industry crisis made clear no buyer was coming for Alitalia.
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Alitalia has a new owner and its the same as its old owner.

Italy's national airline has finally found a home back with the government of its homeland after privatization efforts the airline largely failed and coronavirus posed a threat to the airline's struggling operation.

Despite years of investment from majors airlines such as Air France-KLM and Etihad Airways, the Italian government announced the re-nationalization on Tuesday as part of an economic stimulus following a years-long attempt to find a buyer for the struggling airline tasked with connecting Italy with the world.

The move came as potential suitors for the airline ranging from Delta Air Lines in the US to the Lufthansa Group in Germany expressed interest, with more unlikely buyers also jumping into the mix including UK low-cost carrier EasyJet and a state-owned railway group.

With no private competitor after the fall of Air Italy in February, the burden once again falls on the iconic carrier to reconnect Italy with the world, especially once the country escapes the gripes of the novel coronavirus.

Here's a look at Alitalia and its storied past.

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