17th Apr 2015 05:36
LONDON (Alliance News) - International Consolidates Airlines Group has turned its back on the European airlines trade body due to a row over the threat posed by fast-expanding Gulf-based carriers, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.
IAG, which owns British Airways and Spanish airline Iberia, said it has pulled out of the Association of European Airlines due to a difference of opinion. Qatar Airways acquired a stake in IAG in January, becoming its biggest shareholder, and the airline has attempted to pursue a conciliatory tone with the Gulf carriers, the FT said.
But other European airlines have long complained they are not on a level playing field with the state-owned Gulf carriers, while US airlines American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines last month claimed Gulf carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways have benefited from USD42 billion in state aid over the past decade.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/619560c0-e44f-11e4-9039-00144feab7de.html?ftcamp=crm/email/2015417/nbe/UKBusiness/product&siteedition=uk#axzz3XSkfKsW3
By Sam Unsted; [email protected]; @SamUAtAlliance
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