Qatar Airways in Negotiations to Acquire 25% Stake in South Africa’s Airlink

Bloomberg News reported that SA Airlink Pty Ltd of South Africa is in talks with Qatar Airways for buying a 25% interest on its business. These negotiations point to the airline’s operational agenda of tapping into the opportunity of the African aviation market.

At this moment no contractual deal has been signed and both Qatar Airways and Airlink affiliates have expressed their inability to discuss the issue. This potential investment is consistent with statements in May by the CEO of Qatar Airways, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, who said that the were nearing the final stages of an investment in a southern African carrier. Al-Meer made this clearer at Farnborough Airshow and said that negotiations were still on with a certain airline without mentioning his airline’s name.

This acquisition could help to open the door of enhancement of the Middle East and southern Africa connectivity to both of the airline companies benefits of the passengers. With regard to the acquisition, the proposal can be considered as beneficial for the development of Qatar Airways as a major player in the global aviation market while forging ties within the aerospace industry.