No sign of AF-KLM deal
Lufthansa is still in the running for a 25% stake in Alitalia, despite reports a deal with Air France-KLM was imminent.
Rocco Sabelli, chief executive of CAI, said a decision would be made by the end of the year in time for Alitalia's re-launch as a smaller airline on January 12.
He told a press conference on Friday the negotiations are "hard and real."
According to reports, BA is interested in a commercial partnership rather than the equity stake AF-KLM and Lufthansa hope to acquire.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is reported to have said he would prefer a commercial alliance with a foreign rival rather than a share ownership.
CAI said they were looking for a "major commitment" of 20-25% ownership, however this could be reduced to 20-21%.
Last month, the Italian government accepted CAI's offer of €1.05bn for Alitalia's assets, including its debts.
CAI, a consortium of 16 Italian businessmen, formally announced the deal at yesterday's conference in Rome.
On Thursday, the consortium announced the purchase of Italy's second largest carrier, Air One.
Alitalia and Air One will operate separately until January 12, after which CAI plans to combine the assets of both into one airline.
www.alitalia.com