Alitalia rescue hopes boosted as Lufthansa looks set to step in

Alitalia's rescue hopes received a boost Thursday with signs that Lufthansa could take a stake in the carrier and Rome agreeing to a E350m (US$389m) bridging loan to ease immediate cash worries. Until now railway group Ferrovie has been negotiating with Delta Air Lines and infrastructure group Atlantia, but the 3 potential partners have been divided on key aspects of the rescue plan including the size of their respective investments. Thursday, 2 people with knowledge of the matter said Lufthansa was now offering not only a commercial partnership, but could also take a stake in the Italian rival. Lufthansa would be open to making the investment if conditions, mainly regarding restructuring measures it deems necessary at its Italian rival, were met, one of the sources said. Lufthansa declined to comment. <br/>