EasyJet is believed to have joined forces with Air France-KLM and a private equity firm in a bid to take over bankrupt Italian airline Alitalia.
Reports suggest easyJet is keen to acquire the airline to enable it to expand in the Mediterranean.
EasyJet would only confirm this week that it has made ‘a revised expression of interest for a restructured Alitalia’, as part of a consortium.
The airline has not named the other members of the consortium, but sources closes to Alitalia claim it has teamed up with Air France-KLM and Cerberus Capital Management.
Air France-KLM has denied any interest in bidding for Alitalia.
Lufthansa has also put in a bid for the airline, which said it had received a total of three offers.
The Italian government has been searching for a partner for Alitalia, which was declared insolvent last year.
