Deutsche Lufthansa AG will buy a 10% stake in Latvian flag carrier AirBaltic AS as the German carrier group continues its consolidation push in Europe.

Lufthansa has agreed to acquire a 10% stake in IPO-bound Latvian airline airBaltic, the German airline said on Wednesday, its latest move to expand its European presence and gain access to more planes to relieve its supply constraints.

LONDON (Reuters) -German airline group Lufthansa is in talks with Spanish carrier Air Europa about the possibility of acquiring a minority stake, according to two sources with knowledge of the talks. The airline is 20% owned by BA-parent IAG, which backed out of taking full ownership last year due to regulatory concerns.

Lufthansa Group has agreed to take a 10% convertible shareholding in Air Baltic, ahead of the Latvian carrier's upcoming initial public offering. The agreement - valued at €14 million ($14.6 million) - involves Lufthansa's acquiring convertible shares which would be changed to ordinary shares once the offering takes place.

Lufthansa said on Wednesday it had agreed to receive a stake of 10% in Latvian airline airBaltic, as the German airline seeks to strengthen its international network. The stake will be issued in the form of convertible shares currently at a subscription price of 14 million euros,