British Airways may consider the possibility of acquiring the troubled Italian flag carrier Alitalia, in which the government is selling a controlling stake, daily La Repubblica said in an unsourced report. According to the newspaper, in the past the UK group sent a letter to the Italian treasury ministry saying it could be interested in the airline.

La Repubblica, however, said Air France-KLM, which has a commercial agreement with Alitalia, and Deutsche Lufthansa AG remain the favourites to acquire control of the company.

Alitalia’s board is meeting today to discuss a business plan, which may include a capital increase.
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