Delta and Easyjet confirm reports from yesterday that the companies are planning to bid for the troubled Italian airline group Alitalia, writes the Financial Times.

The airlines are investigating the possibility of making a joint bid with the train company Ferrovie Dello Stato.

Alitalia has been placed under reconstruction after a long period of weak results, especially after increasingly tough competition from low-cost players such as Easyjet.

Ferrovie dello Stato has also confirmed that negotiations are underway regarding a plan for Alitalia.

Easyjet, however, stresses that it will not be able to make a bid with certainty. One of the problems along the way is that the Italian state, which is the main owner of Alitalia, must approve a deal. However, the chances have increased with Ferrovie Dello Stato joining the game, according to the Financial Times.

Among previous interested parties, Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and Etihad have been mentioned as possible bidders.