Maintenance

Alitalia's special administrator Augusto Fantozzi has disclosed he has received initial approaches for the group's maintenance and cargo activities, while Compagnia Aerea Italiana (CIA) has begun due diligence in support of its bid for a large chunk of the carrier.

The CAI bid is thought to centre on Alitalia's passenger business, but Fantozzi has this evening revealed he yesterday received preliminary interest for Alitalia's cargo and maintenance activities.

The administrator has received a letter of interest from Aviation - Management Consulting for Alitalia's Atitech repair facility and Alitalia's maintenance business.

Fantozzi has also received an expression of interest for Alitalia's cargo business from Sin&rgetica on behalf of ALIS Aerolinee Italiane and holding company Miro Ridici Finance. The latter, owner of Italian cargo operator Miniliner, has previously expressed an interest in Alitalia's cargo business, while ALIS Aerolinee is a new cargo start-up established by Air Dolomiti Alcide Leali and which ordered five Airbus A330-200 freighters during this summer's Farnborough air show.

The administrator says he has sought further information to carry out a preliminary assessment of their interest.

In this evening's statement Fantozzi also says CAI yesterday began the process of due diligence.

The Italian investor consortium submitted a preliminary bid for the carrier at the start of the month, after the carrier filed to enter extraordinary administration.

Talks with unions, against the backdrop of an imminent deadline to back the deal given by the administrator and CAI, are continuing.