Italy’s centre-left government on Wednesday night prepared to name a possible buyer for loss-making Alitalia amid concerns expressed by the International Air Transport Association (Iata) that the national carrier’s plight posed a threat to other airlines through the industry’s financial clearing system.

“Alitalia is one of a small group of airlines that we monitor very carefully,” Giovanni Bisignani, Iata director general and a former Alitalia chief executive, said.