Qatar Air to explore raising stake in BA owner

Qatar Airways is considering further increasing its stake in BA owner IAG after the UK-based company lost a third of its market value in the fallout from the country’s vote to leave the EU, according to people familiar with the matter. Qatar Airways, already IAG’s largest shareholder, is exploring boosting its holding to about 20 from 15%, said the people, who asked not to be identified because deliberations are private. The Middle Eastern airline is monitoring market developments and shareholders’ willingness to sell and hasn’t made a final decision on the move, the people said. Standard Life, the Scottish insurer and asset manager which is among the top-three shareholders, is also exploring increasing its stake in IAG to take advantage of the selloff, according to people familiar with the matter. The Edinburgh-based firm owns about 6 percent, according to IAG’s website. Representatives for Qatar Airways, IAG and Standard Life declined to comment. The Middle Eastern carrier could buy between 2 and 5% on the market, one of the people said. A 5% stake would be worth about GBP373m based on the current market value.<br/>