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LONDON (Alliance News) - easyJet PLC on Thursday confirmed it is in talks with Italy's Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Spa and the US's Delta Air Lines Inc in order to form a consortium to explore options regarding the future of beleaguered Italian airline Alitalia Societa Aerea Italiana Spa.
Ferrovie dello Stato is a state-owned company that manages the Italian rail network, while Delta is an Atlanta, Georgia-based airline.
At the end of October, easyJet submitted a proposal expressing interest in Alitalia after the Italian government was forced to rescue the Italian flag carrier in 2017.
Alitalia went into government-controlled administration in 2017 and was kept afloat by Italian state loans worth EUR900 million. The Italian government was supposed to recoup the money by December 15, 2018 and wrap up bankruptcy procedures; however it decided to extend the loan to June 30, 2019.
Back in June 2018, both easyJet and fellow budget operator Ryanair Holdings PLC expresses interest in acquiring Alitalia, with the latter backing out following chaos caused by strikes and flights cancellations.
easyJet already flies to many destinations in Italy, including Rome, Milan and Naples.
easyJet shares were trading up 0.4% at 1,287.10 pence each.
