The German government wants insolvent Air Berlin's management to strike a quick deal to sell its assets to other airlines, a senior government official said on Thursday.

"All parties are now called upon to negotiate swiftly but responsibly," Deputy Economy Minister Matthias Machnig told Reuters.

Machnig said Berlin had informed the European Commission of its decision to grant the company a bridging loan of 150 million euros to allow the airline to keep its planes in the air for three months. He added that the government expected the EU to approve the move.