Italy hopes Air France won't give up on Alitalia

CERNOBBIO, Italy, April 5 (Reuters) - Italy's government hopes that Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) board on Monday will not give up on its bid to take over Italy's loss-making airline Alitalia (AZPIa.MI: Quote, Profile, Research), a top government official said on Saturday.

"Monday is an important day. There is an Air France board meeting. I hope that Air France won't shut the door," Enrico Letta, a close adviser to Prime Minister Romano Prodi, told reporters on the sidelines of a financial conference.

Letta said Air France's decision would greatly depend on "a responsible attitude" of Alitalia's unions.

(Reporting by Valentina Za)