Qatar Airways expects to finalise Meridiana deal by January

Qatar Airways expects to finalise plans to buy a 49% stake in Meridiana Fly SpA by the end of January, which would end a long spat with unions over job cuts at the ailing Italian carrier. Completion of the deal, which was agreed in July, depends on Meridiana meeting certain unspecified conditions, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said Sunday. “We are hoping to have our discussions concluded by the end of January," he said. "During this period, Meridiana Fly also has to deliver certain conditions and achieve certain targets in its performance. We want Meridiana Fly to be a very strong national carrier with a robust international network, creating jobs.” Qatar Airways had previously said it expected to complete the acquisition of unprofitable Meridiana in early October. The Italian government spent months earlier this year trying to mediate between Meridiana and the company’s unions, which objected to job-cut plans. Italy’s second-biggest airline is owned by a holding company of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development.<br/>Qatar Airways, which is London-based IAG SA’s biggest shareholder, has been seeking stakes in foreign companies. It said in July it would pay $613m for up to 10% of Latam Airlines Group, South America’s biggest carrier. Meridiana is expected to get some of the 70 737 Max 8s that Qatar Airways ordered from Boeing last month, Corriere della Sera reported, citing an interview with Al Baker.<br/>