Qatar Airways is to hold discussions with Oneworld over its grievances with the alliance, but has yet to advance its threat to withdraw from the group.
Chief executive Akbar Al Baker was present at a gathering of Oneworld airline leaders in London on 1 February to mark 20 years since the alliance’s founding.
While he departed from the event promptly, apparently owing to other commitments, he pointed out that Qatar’s appearance showed that – for now – the members were “all together as a team”.
Al Baker signalled that the airline would discuss its particular issues with the other Oneworld members. “After that, we’ll see what to do,” he said.
He had previously expressed frustration at perceived ill-treatment of Qatar Airways by other partners in the alliance.
British Airways parent IAG’s chief Willie Walsh had opined last November that he considered a Qatari withdrawal to be highly likely, although adding that IAG – which has Qatar Airways as a shareholder – would maintain its links with the Middle Eastern carrier.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
