Qatar Airways to start domestic airline in India with 100 planes


Doha, Mar 12 (Agencies) : Qatar Airways is planning to expand services to India by starting a short-haul airline with a fleet of 100 narrow-body planes. This step is being taken to tap into India’s burgeoning travel market.

Making this announcement at the ITB Berlin festival, Akbar al-Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, said, “The Gulf carrier will make an application to the Indian authorities soon and we will proceed step-by-step in this direction.”

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the sovereign wealth fund that backs Qatar Air, would be the most suitable vehicle for establishing an airline in India, the CEO said in a media briefing. The fund could use his carrier to run the venture, he said.

The step of Qatar Airways is significant as the Indian government last June allowed 100 per cent FDI in the airline sector.

Baker further said, “The India plan won’t involve a joint venture. We intend to capitalise on the country’s very progressive moves on outside investment.”

Baker has sought to use QIA as a vehicle for Indian expansion before, with the fund unable to secure a position in Indigo during the latter’s IPO after it failed to gain the approvals in time. If the latest plan does succeed, the new airline’s majority foreign ownership would likely limit it to domestic flights under International Civil Aviation Organisation rules.

The Doha-based company also wants to start a domestic airline in Saudi Arabia; though a license has been delayed for years, prompting it to deploy jets elsewhere.

Baker is targeting an Indian foothold after Gulf rival Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi bought a 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways India Ltd. Leading Asian carriers Singapore Airlines Ltd. and AirAsia Bhd. also have 49 per cent holdings in affiliates on the subcontinent.

  

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Comment on this article

  • mohammed salman, moodbidri

    Sun, Mar 12 2017

    I am from Saudi Arabia Jeddah ..we donot have any directly flight from jeddah to Man galore ..we are facing lot of trouble on this matter ...because we needed direct flights either saudi airline or any other airline which can be directly to Mangalore. so we can reach early and no needed to go via abudhabi or Mumbai ..so if Qatar airways start direclty flight from Jed-Ixe really it would be gratefully who are living in Jeddah KSA

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • arun, Mangalore. dxb

    Sun, Mar 12 2017

    oppose or koppose.
    modi is the man.
    its 2019 and modi. others can swallow with a pinch of salt.
    lovin the modi haters.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • John R Lobo, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 12 2017

    Please start DOHA - DXB-IXE - DXB-DOHA

    DisAgree [1] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • H.DSOUZA, KODAGU / MANGALURU

    Sun, Mar 12 2017

    BJP OPPOSED FDI ONLY IN RETAIL BUSINESS(FMCG) NOT IN AVIATION!!

    DisAgree [9] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Akeel, Riyadh

    Sun, Mar 12 2017

    100% investment in Indian soil...? Is it a joke? Why are they taking our money away ? Is our national carrier so bad? Is it beyond repair. Shame on you... this is not fair

    DisAgree [19] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Annu, Kudla

    Sun, Mar 12 2017

    Bro read the news eyes on words don't jump over to comment! just like you guys do business there here too its either a 50/50 or 49/51 %tage share. kool. More jobs and development...time is changing bro!

    DisAgree [6] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sun, Mar 12 2017

    BJP opposed FDI in aviation before 2014 ...

    DisAgree [21] Agree [58] Reply Report Abuse

  • Langoolacharya., Belman/Wash DC.

    Sun, Mar 12 2017

    Mallyamaam should be made Chief of this airline....he has lot of experience in this business...any doubts Sir Jossey???...

    ...JH...

    DisAgree [14] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hereicome, Abudhabi

    Sun, Mar 12 2017

    Before 2001 I used to take money from my mom as I was student, but now I give her money as employed. Hope you understood what I mean to say.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru

    Sun, Mar 12 2017

    Now do not try to divert attention by FAKE news. BJP NEVER opposed FDI in AVAITION, they opposed only in 100% RETAIL

    DisAgree [12] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sun, Mar 12 2017

    In Indian politics "ideology" doesn't matter, or you can say doesn't exist. The opinions and decisions depend on whether the party is in power or in opposition .And this is true for all the political parties ...

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse


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