Sabena Boeing 747s with four-engined Airbus A340. After the liberalisation of the airline industry throughout Europe and the economic consequences of the Gulf War, the Belgian government, the main shareholder of the company, realized that Sabena had little chance of surviving on its own in this very competitive market, and began searching for a suitable partner. Sabena remained in a poor financial state, and year after year the Belgian government had to cover losses, however, it was however prevented from providing new funds due to EU State Aid rules. Around 1987, SAS tried to merge with the carrier, but the merger
European Low Fares Airline Association Middle East airlines. Former members include Air Polonia (ceased operations on 5 December 2004), Bmibaby (ceased operations on 9 September 2012), Flying Finn (ceased operations on 27 January 2004), My Way Airlines, later MyAir.com (ceased operations on 24 July 2009), SkyEurope (ceased operations on 1 September 2009), Sterling(ceased operations on 29 October 2008), Volareweb.com(ceased operations on 12 January 2009), Basiqair (merged into Transavia.com on 1 January 2005), Clickair (merged into Vueling on 15 July 2009), Hapag-Lloyd Express, later TUIfly (merged into TUIfly in January 2007), and Blue Air. European Low Fares Airline Association The European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA)