Alitalia SpA is close to getting a capital injection of about 300 million euros from Etihad Airways, three people familiar with the plan said.

Talks are at an advanced stage over a deal that would make Abu Dhabi-based Etihad the No. 1 investor in Alitalia, according to the people, who asked not to be named because the process is private. 

No final decision has been made and the Rome-based company has sounded out other potential partners, they said. Alitalia and Etihad may meet today in Rome to close the accord, one of the people said.