Qatar Airways is unlikely to bail out Jet Airways at this stage in the backdrop of geopolitical tensions in West Asia and uncertainty over the grant of additional traffic rights to the country, say aviation experts.
According to a media report, Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal and his son Nivaan gave a presentation to the Qatar Airways management this week following the collapse of negotiations with its strategic partner Etihad Airways. Neither Jet Airways nor Qatar Airways have confirmed or denied the meeting.
In January, however, Qatar Airways group chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker ruled out investing in Jet till Etihad continued to own a stake in the airline. “We would definitely look at it (Jet Airways) if a 24 per cent stake was not held by Etihad. How can I take a stake in an airline which is owned by our adversary,” Al Baker had said.
