Qatar’s national carrier has finalized plans with Alisarda to take an ownership stake in Italy’s second largest airline Meridiana. The airline previously agreed to slash labor costs by laying off hundreds of workers and cut pilot pay as a concession to Qatar Airways for the purchase.

In a statement, Qatar Airways said it will buy 49 percent of the carrier’s shares by early October. CEO Akbar Al Baker said, “This agreement sets the path to progress our work towards a strong resolution that benefits both the staff and passengers who travel with Meridiana.”