(AFP) Italy’s Alitalia is mulling a capital increase of 300 million euros ($406 million) and a loan of 200 million euros to avert the prospect of imminent bankruptcy, trade union officials said Wednesday.

The troubled carrier’s capital increase would include 150 million euros from a public sector investor and 150 million euros from shareholders, said Claudio Tarlazzi of the UIL Trasporti union.

The share to be paid by Air France-KLM, which owns 25 percent of Alitalia and is at the centre of takeover rumours, would be 75 million euros.

If the French-Dutch carrier does not agree, banks could step in to make up the amount, he said.

Tarlazzi also said the company would not pay back a previous 95-million-euro ($130 million) loan from shareholders.

Air France-KLM took a 25-percent stake in Alitalia in 2008 in a compromise deal. The Franco-Dutch group had wanted to buy its struggling Italian rival, but the proposed takeover was blocked by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

The flagship carrier employs 14,000 people.

Alitalia’s board will hold board meetings until Friday and is hoping to approve the plan by then, with Franco Nasso of the Filt Cgil union warning that without the plan “there could be a default within days”.

“Alitalia is desperately seeking help before it falls”, he said, suggesting that the company could take in a public investor like Fintecna, a large public holding in property and shipyards.

“Either the continuity of the company is assured within 48 hours by deciding which public sector subject should be brought in or we have to accept a bankruptcy steered by Paris,” he said.

Alitalia could see its fuel supplies halted by Italian energy giant Eni starting from Saturday.

Alitalia already owes Eni 30 million euros ($40 million).

SOURCE AFP