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SriLankan Airlines plans to launch new destinations and increase frequencies to the Middle East over the next 2 years amid a govt-led restructuring process. The Sri Lankan govt said earlier this month the carrier will have to restructure, including dropping unprofitable routes, after its liabilities reached US$1b. But with the Middle East one of its highest revenue generating regions, the airline is looking at starting flights to Iran, Jordan and Lebanon, SriLankan Airlines Middle East and Africa regional manager Samantha Nagahawatte said Monday. The carrier is targeting to launch the flights over the next 24 months, Nagahawatte said, though added the airline is yet to commit to a time schedule. Tehran is likely to be launched first. <br/>

Qatar Airways is in advanced negotiations to buy a 49% stake in Meridiana, but a deal is dependent on restructuring and job cuts. Qatar Airways is also considering taking a 25-49% stake in Royal Air Maroc, although it was focused on the possible Meridiana acquisition for now, said CE Akbar al-Baker. Qatar Airways holds a 10% stake in IAG and has been open to making further investments to help expand its reach. Meridiana is under a govt-sponsored restructuring plan to help turn it round. "Partnering with Meridiana would only make Meridiana prosper, grow and actually increase the working population of Meridiana," al-Baker said. "But for the initial period there will be some pain on the part of employees," he added. He did not comment on the potential cost of a stake in Meridiana. <br/>

Qatar Airways is speaking to Boeing about the possibility of securing substitute aircraft after further problems were discovered with the Airbus A320neo. The airline could walk away from between 4 and 6 aircraft orders that have yet to be delivered after problems affected the A320's hydraulics and software, Akbar al-Baker said. Al-Baker criticised Pratt & Whitney last month, saying the engines it supplied for the A320neo were inadequately tested for the high temperatures experienced in the Gulf region. "They have indicated they will have all those fixes by the end of the year," Baker said of Airbus. "They know very well that we're a very unhappy, very unhappy customer." Baker said it could turn to the Boeing 737NG as a replacement, noting that the aircraft maker was "trying to oblige and give us the aircraft that we require". <br/>