Italy: Failed airline deal grounds hundreds

Hundreds of Wind Jet airline passengers have been stranded due to thefailure of Alitalia's deal to purchase the Sicily-based low-cost carrier.
Wind Jet officially stopped operating flights Sunday during what istraditionally Italy's peak summer holiday travel period.
Italy's aviation authority has reached a deal with other carriers to take onpassengers for an additional fee, but Italian media say some travelers arestill stranded, including some 200 in Rome bound for Tel Aviv.
Alitalia says Wind Jet failed to turn over company financial data under anApril agreement. Italy's economic development minister has called a meetingwith both companies in Rome on Tuesday.
The situation could affect some 300,000 passengers holding tickets for flightsscheduled through October.