Ryanair would seek a majority stake in Alitalia if it decides to invest in the loss-making Italian airline, chief executive Michael O’Leary said during a visit to Rome yesterday.

Alitalia started bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in a decade, throwing the survival of Italy’s flag carrier into doubt after it failed to fend off budget rivals.

Alitalia has appointed Cramer Ball, head of Indian ally Jet Airways, as CEO.