Jean-Cyril Spinetta, head of Air France-KLM, was Tuesday quoted as telling Italian union leaders in Rome that he was ready to revise his restructuring plans for loss-making carrier Alitalia and extend the end-March deadline set for their answer to his takeover bid.

Union officials present at the talks told reporters that Mr Spinetta said Air France-KLM would present a new document by Friday. He suggested improvements to the offer that could lead to fewer job losses among pilots and at Alitalia’s AZ Servizi maintenance wing.