The rules pertaining to foreign ownership in Indian carriers are not very clear as a foreign airline is unable to own 100% but then again, a foreigner can.
The CEO of Qatar Airways Akbar Al Baker has recently said the rules pertaining to foreign ownership in Indian carriers are not very clear as a foreign airline is unable to own 100% but then again, a foreigner can.
“We are really very interested to launch an airline in India, but the regulation is a little bit confusing to us,” Qatar Airways CEO told reporters in New Delhi.
India currently agrees 100% ownership of India-based carriers, up from 49 percent, however only with the approval of government. In the meantime, foreign airlines remain to be restricted to 49% ownership.
Baker, who earlier was keen in obtaining stakes in IndiGo and Air India, stated Qatar Airways would wait for another year after which it will be unable to find inquisitiveness.
He further said, “we really don’t know what is allowed.”
Qatar airways operates a hub-and-spoke network, connecting over 150 international destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America and Oceania from its base at Hamad International Airport, using a fleet of more than 200 aircraft.
Qatar Airways Group employs more than 43,000 people.
The carrier has been a member of the Oneworld alliance since October 2013, the first Gulf carrier to sign with one of the three airline alliances.
