Delta-Qatar commercial tie up not likely: Bastian

Delta is not interested in any commercial relationship with Qatar Airways, says its CE Ed Bastian, even after an accord Tuesday that addresses three US carriers' subsidy allegations against their Gulf rivals. "We have no plans," said Bastian on the possibility of a commercial tie up, for example an interline or codeshare agreement, with Qatar Airway. Delta and Qatar Airways have a notably tense relationship. A flash point was the Gulf carrier's inaugural flight to Atlanta in June 2016, which was forced to park at a remote position with passengers bussed to and from the terminal because the airport's few gates capable of handling an Airbus A380 were occupied by Delta aircraft. The agreement announced Thursday by US secretary of state Rex Tillerson includes financial disclosure and accounting requirements, as well as a commitment by Qatar Airways to not add flights to the USA from countries other than Qatar.<br/>