Qatar Airways buys 9.99% stake in British Airways parent

• Further strengthening the ties between Middle East growth carriers and Europe’s aviation sector, Qatar Airways has acquired a 9.99% ($1.7B) stake in International Consolidated Airlines Group (OTCPK:ICAGY), the owner of British Airways and Iberia.
• The transaction deepens the Qatar’s link with the London Heathrow hub; Qatar Holdings owns 20% of the airport operator.
• IAG has also been reported to be looking at expanding its hold on London Heathrow with the potential takeover of Aer Lingus (OTC:AIRXY).