The US is scrutinizing state-owned Qatar Airways’ acquisition of a 49% stake in Air Italy, which has been flying to US destinations since June in a move seen by US lawmakers as flouting a deal not to add new flights to the domestic market. Questioned repeatedly about the acquisition during a US Senate hearing, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday, “We’re looking very closely at this recent decision by Qatar to take on 49% of this airline.” Both Republicans and Democrats at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing said they were concerned that the deal with the Italian carrier violated an agreement Qatar Airways reached with the United States in early 2018. “There are lots of consultations taking place,” Pompeo said. In January, US and Qatari officials met to discuss civil aviation matters, t<br/>
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The field of contenders to replace Alan Joyce as the boss of Qantas Airways has narrowed after the shock departure of the head of its international operations after only a year and a half in the job. Qantas said Thursday morning that Alison Webster had resigned as CE of Qantas International, with her last day to be on April 24. Webster has been in the role since November 2017 and no explanation for the departure was given. The 51-year-old, who joined Qantas in 2004, was head of Qantas' cabin crew and ran its freight division before taking over the international operations from Gareth Evans, who became CEO of Qantas' budget arm Jetstar. Joyce has been in the top job at Qantas for 10 years and has said he wants to stay on as CEO until Qantas' centenary celebrations in November next year. Qantas, meanwhile, is considering buying next-generation jets that can operate ultra-long haul non-stop flights from Melbourne and Sydney to London and New York, following the success of its Perth-London non-stop service.<br/>
An Americans Airlines flight returned to the airport Wednesday night after hitting a sign during takeoff. Flight 300 was departing New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on its way to Los Angeles International Airport when the plane hit a sign adjacent to the runway, Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman said. The sign "directs pilots as they're going down the runway," Coleman said. The plane hit the sign because it was slightly off center during takeoff, Coleman said. The flight took off at 8:40 p.m., but was back at JFK by 9:09 p.m. and taxied to the gate, American Airlines said in a statement. There were 101 passengers and eight crew members on board, and no injuries were reported, the airline said. "American is swapping flight 300 to a new aircraft, as our team reviews the incident and inspects the aircraft," American Airlines said. "We never want to disrupt our customers' travel plans and we are sorry for the inconvenience."<br/>