Ailing Alitalia is to be put up for sale within two weeks after the Italian flag carrier filed for bankruptcy administration.
Speculation over who would want to bail out the loss-making carrier includes Qatar Airways, a shareholder in British Airways owner International Airlines group.
However, any suitors will be wary of the €1 billion estimated to have been lost by fellow Gulf carrier Etihad Airways in its 30 months as a 49% shareholder in Alitalia.
Italian banks and the UAE carrier refused to inject a further €2 billion after Alitalia workers rejected restructuring plans involving job and pay cuts.
The Italian government has extended a €600 million bridging loan to keep the airline flying in the coming months as it seeks a buyer.
Ministers said that the administrators would start taking expressions of interest within 15 days.
Italy’s economic development minister, Carlo Calenda, said: “Any idea is welcome, but the important thing to keep in mind is that Alitalia needs an alliance with a big European group.
“The problem is that its scale is too small.”