Rome - Pilots at Alitalia SpA gave their green light to a rescue plan for the Italian airline after nearly 15 hours of nonstop negotiations, Italy's ANSA news agency reported Saturday.

The pilots agreed to a takeover by a consortium of private investors after negotiating a reduction in sackings and manager contracts for captains.

The agreement meant only Alitalia's flight attendants union had yet to approve the deal designed to keep Italy's flagship carrier from collapse. Talks were scheduled with that union Monday.

Under plans for the takeover, the private investor group, the Italian Air Co, has demanded at least 3,000 jobs be cut.

The pilots' agreement came after Italy's main labour union confederation, CGIL, approved the deal Thursday and three other main labour groups approved the deal the week before.

Alitalia, once a symbol of Italy's post-World War II economic boom, was estimated to be losing about 2 million euros (2.92 million dollars) a day. (dpa)