Atlantia among potential investors in the rescue of Alitalia

MILAN, July 14 (Reuters) – Italian infrastructure group Atlantia and three other potential investors have expressed interest in joining a consortium for the rescue of troubled Italian airline Alitalia, a government minister said Sunday.

The non-binding proposals were sent in writing to the investment bank Mediobanca, said a source familiar with the matter. The bank plays an advisory role in the efforts orchestrated by the states to form a consortium of investors for Alitalia.

The client of Mediobanca, the state railway company Ferrovie dello Stato, took the initiative to try to form the consortium and has already designated the US carrier Delta and the Ministry of Finance as partners, but other investors are sought after.

Atlantia said last week that it would consider the possibility of acquiring a stake in Alitalia.

Mediobanca also received non-binding proposals from the infrastructure group Toto Holding, Lazio football club president Claudio Lotito and Colombian airline Avianca, the source said.

On Sunday evening, Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio confirmed the new expressions of interest and said that he hoped that the most ambitious proposals would prevail.

"We need a new Alitalia to contribute to tourism in the country, bringing tourists from all over the world on long-distance routes and bringing them into the most beautiful country in the world, Italy," he said. Di Maio in comments he had posted on Facebook.

Atlantia did not immediately respond to a phone call asking for comments.

A source close to Toto's position confirmed that she had submitted a non-binding proposal but did not specify.

The Ferrovie board will meet on Monday to evaluate the proposals and inform Rome of the potential consortium. The government, which supports Alitalia with bridge financing, set the target date for investors on Monday.

From Monday, firm offers and an industrial plan for Alitalia should be finalized in no less than 15 days, reported Sunday the financial daily Il Sole 24 Ore. (Report by Giulio Piovaccari, edited by Mark Bendeich)