UPDATE 1-Colaninno's holding approves new Alitalia investment
(Adds quote, details, share price)
MILAN, Aug 28 (Reuters) - The Italian financier who is set to become chairman of the successor to Alitalia won approval from his holding company IMMSI (IMSI.MI) on Thursday to invest up to 150 million euros ($221.9 million) in the new airline.
News of the approval, the latest in a series of confirmations by a number of investors of their involvement in saving Alitalia AZPIa.MI, boosted IMMSI shares more than 9 percent.
At 1257 GMT, they were up 9.12 percent at 0.823 euros before being suspended by the Milan exchange for excessive gains.
After falling for the last three days, the shares were being picked up by investors as more details of the rescue plan were coming to light, one analyst said. "There's more clarity."
The amount approved by IMMSI's board was less than the 200 million euros that newspapers had said financier Roberto Colaninno was ready to put up, he noted.
Colaninno owns more than 80 percent of IMMSI. He is most recently known for buying and rescuing scooter maker Piaggio (PIA.MI) from bankruptcy.
IMMSI's board approved the amount after reviewing the rescue plan. The company said in a statement it expected Colaninno to become chairman of the new airline.
IMMSI did not specify how Colaninno would raise the money. A spokesman did not wish to elaborate. (Reporting by Gilles Castonguay)
