EasyJet has withdrawn from talks with Italian state-owned rail operator Ferrovie and Delta Air Lines about making a rescue bid for loss-making Alitalia.
The three were planning to form a partnership to run Alitalia, which went into special administration two years ago.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, easyJet said it was withdrawing from the process.
It added: "EasyJet remains committed to Italy, as a key market for the company, where it currently carries 18.5 million passengers every year and employs 1400 pilots and crew, all on local contracts.
"We continue to invest in the three bases in Milan, Naples, Venice, as we have done by basing additional aircraft in Venice and Naples last summer."
Delta said it remains in talks with Ferrovie. "Discussions remain ongoing as Alitalia is a long-standing partner of Delta," it said.
