Qatar Airways could acquire a stake in another airline as early as this year, chief executive Akbar Al Baker told the Financial Times Deutschland. "It's quite possible that we will take a stake in another airline, with the condition that the airline has a strong network that would help us become an even more global player," Al Baker said. He doesn't indicate any of the airlines that the company may be considering. A stake purchase is possible in the coming years, but could take also place this year, Al Baker said. The newspaper reports that Qatar Airways isn't interested in a complete takeover of a foreign airline because take-off and landing rights would be restricted, but a stake of up to 49.9 percent is possible. Al Baker said Qatar Airlines has the funds available for a stake purchase and an initial public offer to raise new funds is also a possibility in the next two to three years.(cna)