Hamburg: Lufthansa has joined easyJet in expressing interest in struggling Italian carrier Alitalia, the airlines said on Tuesday. EasyJet said it has submitted a revised expression of interest for a restructured Alitalia as part of a consortium, declining to provide further details. Lufthansa then said it has submitted a document setting out its ideas for a “new” Alitalia. “We can imagine further talks being held on this basis,” a spokesman said.

Alitalia said it had received three bids. Germany-based Lufthansa had previously said it would only be interested in a restructured Alitalia.

Alitalia entered insolvency proceedings last year and the Italian government has since been seeking new investors. The sale process has been delayed as a result of last month’s elections.