Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Qatar Airways has acquired a 9.99-percent stake in International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways and Spain’s Iberia, Qatar announced on Friday. The deal reinforces commercial ties established through code-share agreements between Qatar and IAG and both airlines’ membership in the Oneworld alliance. Although a requirement that EU shareholders must own a majority of any EU airline will limit Qatar’s stake in IAG, the Gulf carrier said it might consider increasing its share “over time.” However, it added that it does not currently intend to own more than 9.99 percent.

 


“IAG represents an excellent opportunity to further develop our westward strategy,” said Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker.&nbsp;“Having joined the Oneworld alliance it makes sense for us to work more closely together in the near term and we look forward to forging a long-term relationship.” Qatar Airways joined the Oneworld alliance in 2013, making it the first Arabian Gulf carrier to join a major airline alliance.

 


Valued at some $1.7 billion, Qatar’s stake in IAG makes it the largest non-EU shareholder in the British group.

 


“We're delighted to have Qatar Airways, one of the world's premier airlines, as a long-term supportive shareholder,” said IAG chief executive Willie Walsh. “We will talk to them about what opportunities exist to work more closely together and further IAG's ambitions as the leading global airline group.”

 


IAG, meanwhile, continues its own efforts to take a majority stake in Ireland’s Aer Lingus. New talks between IAG and the Irish government, which holds a 25-percent stake in its flag carrier, began this week. &nbsp;

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Qatar Airways Takes Stake In IAG

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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