Qatar Airways reiterates intentions to launch airline in India with ‘around 100 planes’

Almost a year ago, the Indian media had been abuzz with stories about how Qatar Airways was planning to start a domestic airline in the country. 

Although much was written about it at the time, nothing more came of it and things died down. However, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker’s recent comments in Toulouse, France, have once again brought about much excitement.

The Qatari top official, who was in France to take delivery of the world’s first Airbus A350-1000 plane from the manufacturers, reiterated that they were going ahead with plans to launch an Indian airlines.

“I’ll not tell you what types of aeroplanes we’ll deploy in India. But as you may remember, we said we’ll launch an airline in India which will have a fleet of at least 100 aircraft,” he was quoted as saying by The Economic Times.

The reiteration came almost a year after Al Baker said in Berlin that he, along with Qatar government’s investment arm, will start a domestic airline in India.

Although a Qatar Airways spokesperson had said they would formally send in an application to the Indian government soon, no application has been made so far, reported The Times of India.

The leading Gulf carrier has been exploring investment opportunities in India, which is one of the fastest-growing in the world. Last December, the airline had said it would like to add more flights to India in the future as the country is an economic superpower and an important destination for it, reported Live Mint.

India has permitted foreign investors, barring foreign airlines, to own up to 100% stake in local carriers.