| Qatar's European asset shopping spree isn't showing any signs of slowing down. State-owned Qatar Airways has bought a 9.99% stake in International Airlines Group (IAB), the holding company formed in 2011 through the merger of British Airways and Iberia. The shares appear to have been bought piecemeal on the open market, which caught analysts napping.
Qatar Airways said the purchase, which is worth £1.1bn at current prices and makes it the largest shareholder in IAG, was 'part of efforts to enhance operations and strengthen existing commerical ties' between them. Both airlines are already part of the Oneworld Alliance, collaborating on ticketing and transfers, and have codesharing agreements where they each market the same flights under their respective brands...............................................Full Article: Source
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