Qatar Airways further strengthens its commitment to Italy, with acquisition of 49% of Meridiana

Qatar Airways has further strengthened its commitment to Italy, with the acquisition of a 49% of AQA Holding, the new parent company of Meridiana fly (Meridiana), while the previous sole shareholder Alisarda has kept 51%. Qatar Airways currently flies from Doha to Rome, Venice, Pisa and Milan a total of 42 times per week and this partnership will further strengthen the airline’s ties to Italy, while promoting job creation within the country, and from where it connects passengers to more than 150 destinations around the world. Under the terms of the Contribution and Shareholders’ Agreement signed in July 2016, Alisarda maintains the right to appoint the majority of the Board members. Following the closing, the Shareholders of AQA Holding and Meridiana appointed the new Board of directors. Alisarda’s Chairman Marco Rigotti has been appointed Chairman of AQA Holding while Francesco Violante is the new Chairman of Meridiana. In due course, the new plan for Meridiana will be announced and the new CEO will be appointed. In the meantime Mr Rigotti will retain the executive powers as deputy chairman.