US looking 'very closely' at Qatar-Air Italy deal: Pompeo

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/>