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Qatar Airways denies talks with India carrier

Published: 16/01/2013 - Filed under: News »

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Qatar Airways has denied it is in talks to invest in an Indian carrier, following reports that the airline was in discussions regarding taking a stake in low-cost carrier Spice Jet.

The Qatar News Agency has printed a statement by the airline’s CEO Akbar al Baker in which he “categorically denies it [Qatar Airways] is interested in investing in Spicejet or any other Indian airline”.

“This is pure speculation by individuals who deliberately want to spread such unfounded rumours to raise the stock value of their entities,” said Al Baker.

"India is a huge market and a potentially lucrative one. While we have expressed interest in expanding our presence in India, we will only be interested in any potential investment once we are sure regulations and laws are properly liberalised. I can confirm we are currently not talking to any Indian airline.”

The statement follows recent speculation linking Gulf carriers with struggling Indian airlines. In December Kingfisher Airlines confirmed it was “in discussion with various investors, including Etihad Airways, for equity investments in the company” (see online news December 12, 2012).

For more information visit qatarairways.com.

Report by Mark Caswell

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COMMENTS » 

rferguson - 16/01/2013 12:38

Is this the same CEO that 'categorically denied' Qatar was in any talks with BA about joining OneWorld literally a couple weeks before announcing the opposite?

christopheL - 16/01/2013 14:26

Al Baker would be a great Prime Minister. It's a shame he is a Qatar citizen.

flying_sikh - 16/01/2013 17:01

Qatar denied joining One World too. Can't really trust this one.

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