Qatar Airways to take a stake in Cargolux?

Note: The following article is excerped from the current issue of Cargo Facts Update. We encourage those of you who do not already subscribe to the weekly Update, and its companion the monthly printed Cargo Facts newsletter, to click here for more information.

Reports in the German- and French-language media indicate that Doha-based Qatar Airways is in negotiations to take at least a 33% stake in Luxembourg-based all-cargo carrier Cargolux. In 2009, the 33.9% of Cargolux that had been owned by Swissair was taken over by various Luxembourg financial entities following the Swiss carrier’s bankruptcy. However, this has always been viewed as a temporary measure, and it has been no secret that both Cargolux and the Luxembourg government have been looking for an investor to take over that share. Neither Cargolux nor Qatar has so far commented publicly on the rumors.

If you are interested in how this and other recent alliances, mergers, buy-ins, and stake swaps will impact the global air freight industry, please join us in Atlanta on May 2 and 3 at the ACMG Workshop. Click here for more information on this two-day event at which ACMG’s senior staff and our four distinguished guests share their insights on the air cargo and express industries, and the future of the freighter aircraft market.

In related news, Qatar Airways is the “unidentified customer” that placed a firm order with BOEING for three 777 Freighters last year. The carrier and manufacturer went public with the freighter order this week, as well as an order for two 777-300ER passenger aircraft. This brings Qatar’s total 777F orders to six, of which two have so far been delivered. The carrier also operates three A300-600Fs.