Qatar Air ups stake in Aer Lingus owner IAG

Qatar Airways has raised its stake in IAG — which owns British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Vueling — close to 12%, strengthening ties built around the access that BA provides to North America, via London, and the Gulf carrier’s network of Asian routes.

Qatar Air has increased the holding from the 9.99% bought in January of last year, chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said yesterday, at the Arabian Travel Market, in Dubai, adding that “IAG is the most successful airline today”.

Shares in the UK- and Spanish-based IAG were, at one stage, 2.5% higher in London, valuing the group at £11.1bn (€14.3bn), and the 12% stake at £1.33bn.