QATAR Airways has increased its share in British Airways parent IAG to tighten its grip on the European group after expansion in the Gulf was thwarted by a Saudi-led embargo.
The increase to 25.1 per cent comes less than a month after IAG removed a cap on non-European Union investment imposed as part of Brexit preparations, reports Bloomberg.
The move gives Qatar greater leverage as IAG chief executive Officer Willie Walsh prepares to exit the post next month, and BA grapples with fallout from the EU split. Mr Walsh and Qatar Airways CEO Al Baker have had one of the closest dynamics in the airline industry, and the increased holding will hand the Mideast carrier additional rights as that personal partnership comes to an end.
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The increase to 25.1 per cent comes less than a month after IAG removed a cap on non-European Union investment imposed as part of Brexit preparations, reports Bloomberg.
The move gives Qatar greater leverage as IAG chief executive Officer Willie Walsh prepares to exit the post next month, and BA grapples with fallout from the EU split. Mr Walsh and Qatar Airways CEO Al Baker have had one of the closest dynamics in the airline industry, and the increased holding will hand the Mideast carrier additional rights as that personal partnership comes to an end.
WORLD SHIPPING