Qatar Airways has increased its stake in British Airways owner IAG to 20%, the national carrier said Monday.

On July 12, Qatar Airways had announced that it held a 15.67% shareholding in International Airlines Group (IAG) and reiterated that it might consider increasing its stake further within the allowable limits.
Non-EU shareholders of IAG, including Qatar Airways, are subject to an overall cap on non-EU ownership as a result of the requirement for EU airlines to be majority owned by EU shareholders.
“As of July 28, Qatar Airways is pleased to announce that it now holds 20.01% of IAG. While Qatar Airways’ interest in IAG is purely financial, the increased shareholding reflects the strength of commercial and strategic ties between the companies and evidences the continued support for the ongoing strategy of IAG,” Qatar Airways said in a statement.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker said, "The recent market valuation of one of the world's leading airline groups has provided what we believe is an attractive opportunity to increase our shareholding in IAG. We continue to be highly supportive of IAG's strategy and management team and we do not intend to increase our percentage shareholding further unless there are material changes to the current situation."
On July 12 Qatar Airways announced that it would acquire up to 10% of LATAM's total shares through a capital increase. LATAM is Latin America’s leading airline group.
And on July 14 Qatar Airways signed a “contribution and shareholders agreement” with Alisarda, the parent company of Meridiana.
The agreement provides for Qatar Airways to purchase 49% of Meridiana fly’s shares, subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions, before the closing which is planned for early October.
Meridiana is the second largest carrier in Italy, with an extensive national and European network, which connects the main Italian airports to US and Africa.
Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of some 188 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.