American Airlines ‘frightened’ by Qatar Airways’ investment bid
Dublin/Dubai — Qatar Airways ratcheted up a war of words with American Airlines over its plans to take a stake in the carrier, with CEO Akbar Al Baker, saying his US counterpart Doug Parker is "frightened" by the proposed investment. The Middle East company intends to buy up American Airlines stock if it’s attractively priced, regardless of opposition from Parker, who has dismissed the move as "puzzling at best and concerning at worst," Al Baker said on Thursday in his first public comments since news of the strategy emerged last month. "We will not impose ourselves on anybody," he said in Dublin. "However our filing is very well advanced and we hope to start buying shares on the open market soon. We want to be a strategic shareholder. We’re not telling them what to do." The value that Qatari investment could bring to American Airlines would become apparent once the Middle East operator purchases the 4.75% stake it was able to buy without seeking approval from the Fort Worth, Texas-...
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