Mar 09, 2017: Gulf carrier, Qatar Airways and the state-run Qatar Investment Authority plan to start a domestic airline in India. This information was revealed by the CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker while addressing to a media query at ITB Berlin. Last year India had allowed 100 percent foreign direct investment in airlines, up from 49 percent previously.
Al Baker, said, “Yes we will have a 100 percent owned domestic carrier in India that will belong to both QR and our state investment arm as India has now allowed foreign direct investment in domestic carriers within India.” We will soon be making an application to that effect, he added.
Al Baker was responding to a question whether he will increase stake in IAG further. He said he had no intention to do so at the moment but will file an application for an airline in India soon.