ROME - German carrier Lufthansa has proposed to the Italian government joining a rescue plan for struggling airline Alitalia [CAITLA.UL], an Italian person close to the matter said on Wednesday.

Italian state-owned railway group Ferrovie dello Stato, U.S. airline Delta and infrastructure group Atlantia have been discussing how to revive Alitalia for months, pushing back various previous deadlines for making a firm proposal.

A binding offer is due to be presented by Oct. 15.