The Italian Government is to offer 25%, or half of its controlling stake in Alitalia in the hope that a new investor may be able to help rescue the debt-laden airline.

The Government owns 49.9% of Alitalia and Italian Transport Minister Alessandro Bianchi said he hopes the sale can be completed early next year. Alitalia is currently forecast to lose more than E.200m ($266.7m) this year and the government is under pressure from the European Union to provide no more financial support for its ailing national carrier.
The previous government diluted its majority stake in Alitalia last year through a E.1bn ($1.33bn) capital increase after an EU request.