The incident is likely to rekindle a debate about whether black box flight recorders should be replaced with satellite-based systems capable of sending back telemetry in real time.
The ITF is running a campaign against Qatar Airways over its monitoring of staff and rules preventing women from becoming pregnant and getting married.
Talks between the airlines intensified last month and sources close to the matter said Etihad might be interested in buying a stake of up to 40 per cent in the Italian carrier.
The Gulf carrier will initially operate the extra flights on two three-class Boeing 777-300ERs, leased from partner Jet Airways, and from May 1, Jet Airways will take over the service
The group’s planned capital expenditure, net of operating lease liability, will be reduced to $800 million in the next two years, providing reductions of AD$1 billion.