MILAN (Thomson Financial) - Air France-KLM could be invited back to be part
of the Italian government's plans to rescue Alitalia SpA, Il Sole 24 Ore
reported Sunday, citing a financial consultant working on behalf of prime
minister Silvio Berlusconi.
"Its a possibility," said Fabio Verna, who is working with Bruno Ermolli,
the businessman mandated by Berlusconi to create a consortium to take over
Alitalia.
"The fact that in April (Air France chairman Jean-Cyril) Spinetta left the
talks table does not mean he is not interested in resuming relations on
different conditions and for a different financial consideration," Verna said.
On April 2, Spinetta quit talks with Alitalia and trade unions after failing
to agree terms to its planned takeover deal.
The newspaer added, however, that the involvement of an international
partner like Air France-KLM would be a second-stage development after an
Italian-based consortium is first set up.
stephen.jewkes@thomsonreuters.com
sj/hjp
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