Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) has increased its shareholding in the International Airlines Group (IAG) to 15.01% the carrier has said in a press release.
Last month, CEO Akbar al Baker stated the Qatari airline had increased its shareholding in IAG from the original 9.99%, to "just under 12%".
The carrier expressed great satisfaction with its investment in IAG given to what it termed, the group's 'attractive exposure to the transatlantic segment', its strong positioning at the key European gateways of London Heathrow and Madrid Barajas, and the anticipated future benefits of Aer Lingus (EI, Dublin International), IAG's most recent purchase.
"Qatar Airways fully supports this ongoing strategy," it said.
Qatar Airways added that over time, it may consider increasing its stake in IAG to within EC prescribed limits (i.e. 49%).
Aside from Aer Lingus, IAG also owns British Airways (BA, London Heathrow), Iberia (IB, Madrid Barajas) and Vueling Airlines (VY, Barcelona El Prat).
