In its ongoing goal to consolidate European air travel, German-based airline Lufthansa has its sights set on acquiring a few smaller European airlines that face uncertain futures. In doing so, Lufthansa would expand its network and route options, and remove competition from the continent’s popular budget, no-frills carriers.

In April, Lufthansa bid on Alitalia, the flailing Italian airline that recently received a governmental loan to stay in operation, one it will most likely not be able to pay back come the December deadline. Despite this bid, Italian officials are hesitant to give up too much control, voicing intent to maintain 51 percent of Alitalia’s stake in the case of Lufthansa acquisition.

Lufthansa is looking elsewhere, as well, to Norwegian Airlines, a rapidly growing budget airline that, despite its success both in Europe and overseas, found itself in debt. Norwegian also captured the eye of IAG, the first airline group to express interest in purchasing the worldwide carrier.