Alitalia offer deadline Thursday

(ANSA) - Rome, November 21 - Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) state controlled rail group said on Thursday that "necessary conditions" still don't exist for creating a consortium on Alitalia, but that it remains willing to participate in a rescue of the troubled airline. FS said it took into account that Lufthansa doesn't intend to make an offer and motorway group Atlantia has pulled out while Delta Airlines is only prepared to grant a 'micro-investment of 100 million euros.
    Industry Minister Stefano Patuanelli said there is still "a margin" for negotiation, with the possibility of a new deadline extension - which would be the eighth - despite the looming risk of liquidation.
    Delta said Thursday it was "ready to work with others for the consortium".
    It said it had "clarified its interest" in a restructured Alitalia to FS and the industry ministry, and said it would take a 10% stake.
    Premier Giuseppe Conte said "the government will work towards an industrial market solution because a rescue with some patches and temporary solutions is not OK and does not offer the possibility of development that we want to offer the country".
    He said "talking about a flag carrier is not a question of image but one of politics and social and territorial cohesion.
    "If we manage to preserve a national player we can reinforce the Italian system, also with the interaction of ground transport".