European airlines flying toward consolidation

PARIS: A dogfight over the assets of troubled Alitalia and Air Berlin heralds a new shake-up in the European airline industry -- but unless other carriers cut costs they may meet a similar fate themselves, analysts warn.

Facing insolvency after key investor Etihad threw in the towel after years of trying to keep them flying despite losses, both airlines may now be snapped up whole or carved up by rivals interested in getting ahold of their planes and airport landing slots.