TunisiAir to be sold to Qatar – fired CEO says

Recently fired CEO of Tunisia’s national carrier has alleged that he has been sidelined because the Tunisian state is planning to sell the airliner to Qatar.

Elyes Mnakbi was removed early this week by the transport minister after he was cited in an alleged corruption case involving several other officials of the airline.

He told Achoruouk media that he was fired because the Tunisian government is planning to sell the state-run carrier to Qatar.

“I warned against the dangers of selling a public company like TunisiAir that represents the sovereignty of the Tunisian state,” he stressed.

Mnakbi also alleged that the negotiations between the two sides have been secret but “Tunisians must know the truth about the sale of their national carrier”.

In February, the former CEO was reported to have said that Qatar Airways was eyeing 30 per cent of the money-losing airliner. He later debunked the report arguing that he was misinterpreted by Al-Arabi AlJadid that interviewed him about the possible operation.