The new alliance between TUIfly, Condor, Germanwings and Eurowings could take off before the end of the year if all goes according to plan.
Against a background of rising fuel prices and a global economic slowdown which has put a brake on airline profits, the three companies have been hammering out the possible fusion for the last few weeks, the magazine says.
Under the model they have developed, Lufthansa, Arcandor/Thomas Cook and TUI would each hold a third of the shares. Eurowings, which would bring crucial routes and airport spaces to the deal, would be spared financial risk, which would instead be carried by Lufthansa.