 American Airlines is no fan of the world’s favorite airline, Qatar Airways. US airlines have raised concerns that the subsidies that Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates receive from their home countries create unfair competition and could squeeze them out of key markets. "While anyone can purchase our shares in the open market, we aren't particularly excited about Qatar's outreach, and we find it puzzling given our extremely public stance on the illegal subsidies that Qatar, Emirates and Etihad have all received over the years from their governments," Parker wrote. Government-owned Qatar Airways has been embroiled in its own troubles, such as the US electronics ban, and a diplomatic crisis with its neighbors that allege Qatar supports terrorism, which the country denies. The countries also closed their airspace to Qatar Airways, which could be devastating because Qatar has very little airspace relative to its size. Despite its plush cabins Qatar Airways is tiny compared with American and other competitors. Airline Qatar Airways’ stake Meridiana (pending) 49% IAG 20% LATAM 10% 
 
 American Airlines said Qatar plans to buy at least $808 million, or up to a 4.75% stake, of its stock, which would be subject to review by the US Department of Justice’s antitrust division. In a conversation between the CEOs of both companies, Qatar Airways said it wanted to buy about 10% of public shares, American Airlines said in a regulatory filing . It added that anyone who wanted to buy over 4.75% of the company must gain board approval but that it hadn't received such a request.
– Shares of American Airlines stock may have jumped after news that Qatar Airways was interested in buying a 10% stake in the company, but American CEO Doug Parker threw cold water on any shareholder celebration. The announcement of interest from the airline to buy American stock worth about $808 million prompted Parker to write a letter to employees denouncing the bid, reports CNBC. "[W]e aren't particularly excited about Qatar's outreach," Parker writes, "and we find it puzzling given our extremely public stance on the illegal subsidies that Qatar, Emirates and Etihad have all received over the years from their governments," he writes, referring to two other Gulf carriers. The actual investment hasn't happened yet: Anyone trying to buy 4.75% or more of American's stock must submit a written request to the board, and that hasn't happened yet, reports Business Insider. Qatar Airways' motives were unclear, telling American only that its investment would be "passive." Quartz notes that the airline is small in comparison to US airlines and has been purchasing stakes in foreign airlines recently to beef up. In his letter Parker, attempts to allay any fear that the potential new investor could influence the airline. "Do not worry," he writes, citing a law that prohibits any foreign entity from owning 25% of a US airline. "There is no possibility that Qatar will be able to purchase enough of American to control or influence our Board, management or our strategy."