Qatar Airways would have IndiGo interest – CEO

Qatar Airways would be interested in taking a stake in Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo, if the opportunity arose, the Doha-based airline’s CEO has said.

The Economic Times reports that Akbar Al Baker made the admission on the sidelines of an event on Doha to unveil the airline’s new Airbus A350.

“If IndiGo offers us 49%, Qatar Airways would be extremely interested,” Al Baker was quoted saying by the newspaper. “Qatar Airways will always have a very keen interest in growing in India and investing in the aviation industry in India,” he added.

Akbar Al Baker
Akbar Al Baker
However he ruled out any potential bid for IndiGo’s rivals SpiceJet or GoAir.

Referring to the recent launch of new airlines in India, Vistara and AirAsia, Al Baker said they will need “at least five to 10 years to really deliver the potential India requires”.

But Qatar Airways, according to the CEO, “would be able to deliver what they (the Indian government) want faster than all the new entrants in the Indian market”.

Al Baker expressed his confidence in the new government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to revive India’s ailing aviation industry.

“I have very high expectations and confidence in the (PM Modi),” the Economic Times cited Al Baker as saying. “We hope that now with the new government that is pro business, pro economic development, pro providing jobs to people they will consider aviation as a very important tool in delivering this vision that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has for India,” he added.

sourced:traveldailymedia.com