IAG International Airlines Group has reached an agreement with two operators concerning their planned lease of certain London Gatwick slots acquired by the carrier consortium on Monarch Airlines (1968)' bankruptcy last year.

According to The Financial Times, the two customers are equity shareholder Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) and Thomas Cook Group. IAG reportedly sought the two's assistance to help it make use of the extra slots over the summer as it looks to strengthen its position at Gatwick.

Based on ch-aviation analysis of schedule data, Qatar Airways operates two daily B787-8 services linking Gatwick with its Doha hub while Thomas Cook Airlines UK (Manchester International) has a mix of A321-200s and B757-300s based at the airport.

None of the parties chose to comment.