Qatar Airways has officially sold its entire 9.57% stake in Cathay Pacific Airways for about $897 million, marking a clean exit from a partnership that began in 2017. Back then, the Gulf carrier acquired the stake for around $662 million, seeing it as a strategic investment in Asia’s fast-growing aviation hub. Eight years later, Qatar Airways is cashing out, calling it part of a “disciplined portfolio management” strategy. The move allows the airline to redirect funds toward its core business and new growth opportunities while maintaining strong partnerships across global routes.

For Cathay Pacific, this is a symbolic moment of consolidation. The Hong Kong-based carrier is buying back the shares itself, which effectively gives its local shareholders more control. The airline has worked hard to restore profitability after years of pandemic-era losses, capacity reductions, and Hong Kong’s strict travel restrictions. With traffic rebounding and expansion plans back on track, regaining full control of its equity sends a message of confidence in the company’s future and in Hong Kong’s role as a major international aviation hub.