Home Transport Aviation RwandAir says Qatar Airways close to acquiring stake, FT reports Qatar Airways in 2019 took a 60 per cent stake in a new $1.3bn international airport being built in Rwanda by Reuters June 18, 2024 Image credit: Thierry Monasse/ Getty Images RwandAir expects Qatar Airways to finalise its purchase of a major stake in the central African country’s carrier as early as next month, chief executive Yvonne Makolo told the Financial Times. “It’s been going on for a while, we have been discussing it for almost five years. So, now, we’re really at the tail-end of it,” Makolo said. For the past five years, Qatar and Rwanda have been working on a deal which would give the Gulf nation’s airline a 49 per cent stake of RwandAir for an undisclosed sum, the FT report added. Qatar Airways declined to comment while RwandAir did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier this year, Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer said that Qatar Airways will soon announce an investment in an airline in southern Africa. Qatar Airways in 2019 took a 60 per cent stake in a new $1.3bn international airport being built in Rwanda and has code share agreements with several airlines in Africa including RwandAir. Read: Ardian, Saudi’s PIF to buy 37.6% stake in Heathrow, Ferrovial keeps 5% Tags Africa Aviation Qatar Airways Rwanda Rwandair You might also like flydubai opens new business class lounge at DXB Terminal 2 Saudi Arabia’s PIF acquires 15% stake in Heathrow Airport 5.2 million passengers to travel through DXB between Dec 13-31 Global airlines forecast $1tn 2025 revenue despite plane shortage