In their illustrious history, Eastern (1 and 2) have never taken over airlines, but they have quietly expanded, taken good business decisions, waited for others to go tits up and then moved in for the kill by taking on new routes.
I don't think they'll change that business model for anyone.
As for the BA46s, well that's serious operating costs and would need existing healthy routes to sustain them.
Unlikely, but not impossible.