A recent report observes that there is a strong likelihood that bmi, the British airline is taken over next year. However, since a good number of rivals are eyeing up the portfolio of the airline's London Heathrow slots, analysts observe that the airline can make a loss in 2008.

50 percent (plus one share) owned by Sir Michael Bishop is expected to change ownership in 2009 as the result of a private agreement entered into between Bishop and the co-owner Lufthansa, which owns 30 percent minus one share.

Interestingly, Bishop certainly has the option of placing the majority of his share of the airline with Lufthansa. However, a source familiar with the situation says that the German carrier can also 'call in' the stake. If the second deal comes through, the deal will be carried out for a pre-set price agreed upon nearly a decade ago.

Expressing that Lufthansa is reluctant to commit to the move, a spokesperson of the airline said, "Who knows what the airline environment will be like this time next year?"

If bmi is made available, British Airways, with around 40 percent, announced that it would be interested in adding to that. A spokesperson of Virgin noted that Virgin also maintained the same stand as that of BA, "Virgin has always believed a tie-up between bmi and Virgin Atlantic is logical. It would combine a short haul carrier with a long haul player... and provide real competition to BA."