Indigo eyes marketing ties with Qatar Airways

Indigo, which is gearing up for an initial public offering, on Wednesday confirmed that it was in ‘preliminary discussions’ with Qatar Airways to explore potential marketing arrangements based on mutual interests.

However, Indigo made it clear that the talks were not about stake sale to Qatar Airways.

“We wish to confirm that there is no discussion, leave alone negotiation about any potential equity or other financial investment by Qatar Airways in IndiGo,” India’s only profitable airline said in a statement.

IndiGo’s statement comes a day after Qatar Airways said that only Indian airline it is in talks with is IndiGo, while disclaiming any interest in SpiceJet.

India is a crucial market for Qatar Airways and if the talks finalise, it would help it compete with its Gulf rival Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways.

SpiceJet, which posted its second consecutive profit in the first quarter of 2015-16, has said potential investors have shown interest in putting money into the airline and the company was in ‘exploratory and preliminary stage’ talks with them, without disclosing the name of the investors.