Qatar Airways to sell its holdings in Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific for
$896 million
[November 06, 2025] By
JON GAMBRELL
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Qatar Airways will sell its stake in
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways in a share buyback valued at $896
million, the companies announced, ending the Qatari carrier's eight-year
involvement with the airline.
The announcement came late Wednesday in a stock market filing by Cathay
Pacific, which saw its shares gain 4.2% on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
on Thursday.
Under the agreement, Qatar Airways will sell all of its holdings, which
represent 9.57% of Cathay Pacific stock. The airline's other major
shareholders are Swire Pacific and Air China. The plan is subject to
shareholder approval.
“The buy-back reflects our strong confidence in the future of the Cathay
Group and underscores our commitment to the development of the Hong Kong
international aviation hub," Cathay Group chairman Patrick Healy said in
a statement announcing the sale.
Qatar Airways, a state-owned airline flying out of the sprawling Hamad
International Airport in Doha, did not acknowledge the sale itself.
However, the Cathay Pacific statement included a comment from its CEO
Badr Mohammed al-Meer saying the move represented the airline's
“disciplined approach to portfolio management and our commitment to
delivering sustainable value for our shareholders.”
"Following a period of record profitability and strong performance, this
decision is part of a proactive strategy to optimize our investments and
position the group for long-term growth," al-Meer said. Qatar Airways
did not respond to questions from The Associated Press on Thursday.
Qatar Airways’ decision to divest likely had to do in part with its
“limited strategic influence afforded by (its) minority stake,” DBS Bank
analysts Tabitha Foo and Jason Sum said in an email.
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A Cathay Pacific airplane taxis at Hong Kong International Airport
in Hong Kong on Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Vernon Yuen, File)
 The latest transaction also “further
consolidates ownership among (Cathay’s) key shareholders, Swire
Pacific and Air China”, they added, helping strengthen the firms'
strategic control of the airline.
Qatar Airways bought its stake in Cathay Pacific in 2017 in a deal
valued at the time around $662 million. Back then, Cathay Pacific
faced financial losses and layoffs amid increasing competition from
other airlines. The Hong Kong carrier posted a $1.2 billion profit
in the last fiscal year.
Qatar Airways, along with Abu Dhabi-based Emirates and Dubai’s
Emirates, are long-haul carriers that link East-West travel. Their
location on the Arabian Peninsula between Europe and Asia have made
them a key link in global transit. Qatar Airways also got a boost
when the small, energy-rich nation hosted soccer’s 2022 FIFA World
Cup.
Qatar Airways had struggled during a yearslong boycott by four Arab
nations and the coronavirus pandemic. However, it soared to a $2.15
billion profit in its last fiscal year. Qatar Airways also has
holdings in International Airlines Group, LATAM Airlines Group,
China Southern Airlines, Virgin Australia and South Africa's Airlink.
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Associated Press business writer Chan Ho-him in Hong Kong
contributed to this report.
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