Qatar Airways looking at more acquisitions

Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar al Baker has confirmed that in addition to the Qatari carrier's acquisition of a 49% stake in Italy's Meridiana fly the Qatari carrier is planning to make two further investments in 2017, reports ch-aviation.
Time Aerospace thumbnail

Al Baker said: "We will be making some interesting announcements soon. We have two other projects in the pipeline which you will get to know."

Aside from shareholder investments, al Baker said Qatar Airways is also considering strategic partnerships without equity. Among the airlines it is seeking deeper ties with is fellow Oneworld member, American Airlines, with which it already has a bilateral relationship. 

According to al Baker, Qatar Airways hopes American will end its existing ties with Etihad Airways to work solely with Qatar in the Gulf. If that should occur, and if Qatar Airways and American were to enter into a joint-venture, the CEO believes that could then pave the way for another very lucrative joint-venture - with IAG International Airlines Group/British Airways.

"I'm a businessman and I would be delighted to do this with American," he said. "I think the American Airlines administration has been misled by Delta Air Lines and I think in the long run they will realise that a partnership with Qatar Airways is a very robust business proposition for them."