IAG to partner with Qatar Airways on procurement plans

Following Qatar Airways purchase of a 9.99% stake in International Airlines Group—parent company of British Airways, Iberia and Vueling— the two companies are seeking ways to work closer together, which could entail future joint purchases of aircraft and engines. IAG CEO Willie Walsh said during an analysts’ briefing on the group’s annual results that the two companies heads of procurement were already in contact concerning “routine low-level procurement issues” and that they would like to expand that existing relationship: “We see an opportunity to expand that and potentially to expand that at a significant level, working more closely with Qatar,