LOT is likely to remain independent for many years to come, given the Polish refusal to give up its national carrier

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing Boeing 787 Dreamliner - СШАUSA - 2009

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), which has just come through a US court-supervised financial restructuring, will likely be a takeover target for Air France and KLM. The Franco-Dutch alliance has taken a 22% shareholding in the tri-national Scandinavian airline

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing Boeing 787 Dreamliner - СШАUSA - 2009

Last men standing? Analysts believe Finish national carrier Finnair and Poland's LOT will be among the last European flag carriers to remain independent of the 'big three' groupings

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Airbus A330 - InternationalInternational - 1992

Lufthansa, which already controls Brussels Airlines, Swiss and Austrian, has taken an initial 41% stake in Italy's ITA Airways and plans to take complete control of the Italian flag carrier in three years

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Airbus A350 - InternationalInternational - 2013

Despite its loss-making performance, acquiring ITA Airways is proving, as yet, to be a problematic operator to include in a broader portfolio

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Airbus A350 - InternationalInternational - 2013

Portugal's TAP is another carrier that is expected to be snapped up by one one of Europe's major airline groups shortly

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Airbus A321neo - InternationalInternational - 2016