Italian union leaders said on Thursday they were open to resuming talks with Air France-KLM over the sale of Alitalia, as the failing Italian carrier edged closer to bankruptcy protection.

The Franco-Dutch carrier abruptly broke off negotiations over union demands which Air France-KLM chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta on Wednesday called "incompatible" with plans to return the airline to profitability quickly.

However, Fabio Berti , president of Italy's Pilots National Association said it is France that made changes to the original document.

"There has never been any negotiation. Air France showed up with a document which was different from the original one. The first day Spinetta sat down and said 'I'm sorry, I have to apologize, but the document I am going to present is different from the original one'."

About 300 employees gathered outside, chanting "We want Air France" and demanding the return of Chairman Maurizio Prato, who resigned when the talks broke off.

Here's an Alitalia Pilot Alessandro Tartaglia:

"At this precise moment with the break from Spinetta and therefore from trade unions and the company, we do not understand where we are going to end up. We seriously risk losing our jobs."

The Alitalia board has few options. It can request bankruptcy protection, or it can try to hold on using its cash reserves - likely selling additional assets - until a new government is in place after April 13-14 elections.

The outgoing government said it would try to determine whether there was still a chance to coax Air France-KLM and unions back to the bargaining table.