IAG CEO: Qatar Airways partnership 'very clear' and 'purely commercially driven'

IAG CEO Willie Walsh, speaking at CAPA Airline CEOs in Sydney, said (06-Jun-2018) the nature of the partnership between IAG and Qatar Airways is "very clear" and the relationship is "purely commercially driven". Mr Walsh said communication is key to a successful JV or strategic partnership, along with mutual understanding and a "joint vision of where it's going". He said the leasing of Qatar Airways aircraft by British Airways is "a great example" of cooperation and said the relationship "has a lot of value". Mr Walsh contrasted the IAG-Qatar Airways partnership with the former equity partnership between British Airways and Qantas. He said: "The equity created confusion in the relationship", and added: "There was always suspicion about the relationship".