The Central Bank owns a 99.23 percent stake in the airline. The IPO has been planned and postponed several times in the past because of adverse political and security conditions.

Ghazi Aridi, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, said  he plans to resuggest MEA’s IPO plans to the parliament for final approval in early 2010. He said that the carrier has proven a solid financial position, and this has has prompted the government to propose new plans to preserve this success. The minister said that the plans will be announced soon.

MEA’s net profits are projected to reach $100 million in 2009.