Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Qatar Airways confirmed Wednesday that it has increased its&nbsp;shareholding in&nbsp;International Airlines Group&nbsp;(IAG) from&nbsp;just under 12&nbsp;percent to 15.01 percent. Qatar announced the investment update at a global press conference in Atlanta, where the airline celebrated its planned launch of service from Doha on June 1. Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines has been one of the fiercest critics of the three Gulf carriers’ expansion with the help of what it calls state subsidies. Qatar’s investment in IAG—the holding company of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Veuling—marks the second such increase in the European airline giant in less than a month.

 


“We have been very happy with our investment in IAG, from a financial, commercial and strategic perspective,” said Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker. “We have decided to further deepen our relationship with IAG and the increased stake recognizes the strengthening commercial ties between us.

 


“At Qatar Airways we fully support IAG’s ongoing strategy. IAG is very well positioned in Europe with&nbsp;attractive exposure&nbsp;to the transatlantic segment, leading positions at the London and Madrid hubs and&nbsp;the future benefits from the acquisition ‎of Aer Lingus.”

 


Al Baker added that&nbsp;Qatar Airways might consider increasing its stake further over time within the allowable limits on non-EU ownership. EU rules allow for no more than a 50-percent share in a European airline by a foreign investor.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Qatar Airways Increases Stake in IAG

Gulf carrier now owns more than 15 percent of British Airways parent

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Carrier is a new Boeing customer, placing its largest ever order 

Air Cambodia Orders Up to 20 Boeing 737 Max Narrowbodies

Five ATR 72-600s and three ATR 42-600s will be delivered between 2027 and 2029

AirBorneo Boosts Malaysian Regional Fleet with ATR Order

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Latest 2025 IATA data shows growth tempered by supply chain issues

Asia-Pacific Airlines Lead Growth Despite Constraints

Charlotte Bailey

Acquisition of up to 14 E-Jets complements extensive cabin refurbishments  

QantasLink Fleet Refurbishment To Include Three E190s

Charter provider picks up key regional route following collapse of Eastern Airways 

Air Charter Scotland Starts First Scheduled Services 

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

South Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii are among the envisaged launch routes

UrbanLink Plans Sea-air Network with Elfly Noemi Amphibian

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

More In Airlines

Air Cambodia Orders Up to 20 Boeing 737 Max Narrowbodies

Carrier is a new Boeing customer, placing its largest ever order

AirBorneo Boosts Malaysian Regional Fleet with ATR Order

Five ATR 72-600s and three ATR 42-600s will be delivered between 2027 and 2029

Asia-Pacific Airlines Lead Growth Despite Constraints

Latest 2025 IATA data shows growth tempered by supply chain issues

QantasLink Fleet Refurbishment To Include Three E190s

Acquisition of up to 14 E-Jets complements extensive cabin refurbishments

Air Charter Scotland Starts First Scheduled Services

Charter provider picks up key regional route following collapse of Eastern Airways

UrbanLink Plans Sea-air Network with Elfly Noemi Amphibian

South Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii are among the envisaged launch routes

Emirates Adds to Backlog of Airbus A350-900 Orders

Dubai-based carrier is also focused on boosting SAF supplies

FlyDubai Taps Boeing and Airbus For Narrowbody Fleet Growth

Low-cost carrier could add up to 300 Boeing 737s and A321s

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN