Rome (dpa) - The Italian government has postponed once again a deadline for the rescue of its near-bankrupt former flag carrier Alitalia, giving its would-be buyers until October 15 to make a binding offer.

State-controlled railway company Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) is leading a consortium due to take over Alitalia. The consortium also includes US airline Delta and Atlantia, an airports and motorways group controlled by the Benetton family.

FS intended present an offer by September 15, but it was given one extra month "to allow the acquiring consortium to work out the details of turnaround plans for the airline," the Italian Economic Development Ministry said in a statement.

vWidespread scepticism remains about Alitalia's prospects. The company has not turned a profit since 2002, has consistently lost market share, and has recently been propped up by state loans totalling 900 million euros (990 million dollars).

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