After code share, Qatar wants to board IndiGo

Qatar Airways on Thursday reiterated its interest in picking up a stake in InterGlobe Aviation Ltd-owned IndiGo, India’s largest domestic airline, but said it does not want to take part in the privatization of flag carrier Air India Ltd.

Qatar Airways’ plan will be a blow to the Indian government’s renewed efforts to privatize debt-laden Air India. A similar effort in 2018 failed to attract even a single bidder.

“We are very keen to take a stake in IndiGo but I don’t think this is the right time,” Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said at a news conference to announce a code-share agreement with IndiGo. “We would like to expand our relationship with IndiGo. There is some disagreement within the airline (promoter feud), so we will not like to comment on our future plans for IndiGo till these issues are resolved.”