Ryanair 'vulgar and offensive', says Italian government

Italy has accused Ryanair of employing a "vulgar and offensive" ad against rival airline Alitalia that made it look as if an Italian cabinet minister was giving passengers the finger.

The ad used a now-infamous photo of Reforms Minister Umberto Bossi, who made headlines this week for using the obscene gesture in public.

"Minister Bossi to Italian passengers," the add begins, as if Bossi were addressing them.

"The Government ... supports Alitalia's high fares, supports Alitalia's frequent strikes, doesn't give a damn about Italian passengers."

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government, which is working on a rescue plan to save state-controlled Alitalia from bankruptcy, was indignant. Officials demanded an apology from the Irish airline, Europe's biggest budget carrier.

"This airline that operates at our airports and in our skies should apologise - not just to Minister Bossi but to the Italians," said transport minister Altero Matteoli.

Speaking on the advertisement, Stephen McNamara, Ryanair head of communications, said: "It is not often that we see government ministers displaying their views so graphically. We felt that the image was also a reflection of the complete disregard the Italian government shows taxpayers by continually bailing out Alitalia with neverending government subsidies.

"The government are anti competition and anti low fares and until the practice of subsidising [Alitalia] is ended, the Italian people will continue to see their taxes wasted and competition in Italy stifled."

The sudden support was a twist for Bossi, a fiery politician known for his separatist rhetoric who was condemned by friends and foes alike earlier this week for making the gesture to criticise Italy's national anthem.

Ryanair, which competes with Alitalia in Italy, is known for making stinging attacks on Alitalia and even once painted "Arrivederci Alitalia" on one of its planes.