Air France-KLM has expressed interest in taking a minority stake in Alitalia once the lossmaking Italian flag carrier is sold by the government and a slimmed-down airline is relaunched by a group of Italian investors, sources close to the consortium said on Thursday.

The consortium was given a boost after a “very positive” meeting with Air France-KLM in Paris on Wednesday, sources acting for the investors said. They added that this could lead to a strategic partnership and Air France-KLM taking a minority stake.