Qatar Airways still keen on India unit and IndiGo stake

Qatar Airways remains interested in establishing an airline in India, and remains open to taking a stake in IndiGo. Group CE Akbar Al Baker says that the airline will take further steps to set up its own India-based carrier only when the foreign direct investment cap is relaxed. At present, India allows 100% ownership of its domestic carriers by foreign parties, but foreign airlines are limited to a 49% ownership. Qatar Airways has previously indicated that the carrier would be 49% owned by the airline, with the remainder held by a Qatar Investment Authority. While it would be "run by an Indian board; the chairman will be Indian", Al Baker adds that it will not proceed if it is forced to team up with a local partner. The proposed carrier would be a full-service carrier targeting the fast-growing middle class in the country. <br/>