European airlines are likely to undergo another wave of consolidation, according to Finnair chief executive Mika Vehvilainen in a Financial Times report.
The paper quoted Mr Vehvilainen as saying there were too many flag carriers in Europe and forecasted that his own airline would probably merge with a bigger player in future.
Some analysts have suggested that Finnair could be a natural acquisition target for International Airlines Group.
The paper also suggests that IAG CEO Willie Walsh is currently looking at possible takeovers, with Lufthansa considering selling loss-making bmi, TAP Air Portugal, which the Portuguese government is preparing to privatize, and Aer Lingus of Ireland.
Walsh said last year that BA and Iberia had a list of 12 possible merger targets but declined to name them.
