oneworld

Qatar Airways has increased its shareholding in IAG from 21.4% to 25.1%. The carrier initially took a stake in IAG at the start of 2015, before increasing it to just over a 20% in 2016. “Our investment to date has been highly successful and the announced increase in our shareholding is evidence of our continued support of IAG and its strategy,” says Qatar Airways Group CE Akbar Al Baker. IAG late last year agreed a deal to acquire Spanish carrier Air Europa. The move comes a month after IAG lifted restrictions on stakes held by non-EU shareholders, implemented in Feb 2019 to ensure IAG remained majority EU-controlled. In lifting the restrictions, IAG noted that as of Jan 19 39.5% of its shares were held by relevant non-EU persons. <br/>

Japan Airlines and Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Corporation have signed a cooperation agreement with Bell to study business opportunities for urban air mobility in Japan and around Asia. The agreement will encompass market research for mobility services that eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) technology, as well as examining the feasibility of operation platforms such as air taxis. The companies will also work towards tackling obstacles hindering eVTOL operations, such as safety, noise and public acceptance. Last month, JAL signed a cooperation agreement with the Japanese city of Yabu to launch unmanned aerial vehicle test flights to transport medical supplies. It is working towards a goal of being able to deliver medical supplies to rural towns across Japan. <br/>