OREANDA-NEWS. Qatar Airways has announced today that it has acquired a 9.99 per cent stake in International Airlines Group (IAG).

Both IAG and Qatar Airways have a close relationship already as part of the oneworld alliance and IAG welcomes Qatar Airways' statement that it would look to strengthen existing commercial ties.

Commenting on the share acquisition, Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive, said: "We're delighted to have Qatar Airways, one of the world's premier airlines, as a long term supportive shareholder. We will talk to them about what opportunities exist to work more closely together and further IAG's ambitions as the leading global airline group".