Qatar Airways files $600 mln claim over new airport

Qatar Airways new Boeing 787 Dreamliner taxis after arriving on it's inaugural flight to Heathrow Airport, west London December 13, 2012.

Credit: Reuters/Andrew Winning

DUBAI | Mon Dec 31, 2012 6:02am EST

DUBAI (Reuters) - Qatar Airways said it was filing a $600 million legal claim against a contractor for a delay in opening a new international airport in Doha.

Lindner Depa Interiors, a German-Dubai joint venture DEPA.DI, holds a $250 million contract to build 19 airport lounges by the middle of 2012, Qatar Airways said in a statement on Saturday.

In a statement later in the day, LDI said it had not received a legal claim from Qatar Airways and described the carrier's allegations as "false and misleading".

It said it was not able to meet its original completion deadline because it was denied full access to the project site for the first nine months of a 16-month contract.

LDI also said it had no contractual relationship with Qatar Airways and that it was in arbitration with its client on the project, New Doha International Airport. Qatar Airways will run the airport when it becomes operational.

The $15.5 billion airport in the Qatari capital will be the hub for the airline, which has grown to a fleet of 116 aircraft since its launch 15 years ago. The new airport was scheduled to open this month but is now expected to start operating in late 2013, Qatar Airways said.

It said Doha's existing airport had reached capacity and the delay in moving to a new facility was hindering the company's expansion plans.

LDI is a joint venture between Lindner Group and Depa United Group DEPA.DI. (Reporting By Praveen Menon; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Robert Birsel and Jane Baird)

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Mexico's Cemex disputes tax claim from 2004 XX

* Cemex to dispute tax charge on two subsidiaries

* Unfavorable outcome could affect cash flow, profits

MONTERREY, Mexico Nov 25 (Reuters) - Heavily indebted Mexican cement maker Cemex said on Friday it would file a legal challenge to dispute a tax bill of $142 million authorities say the company owes from 2004.

Cemex , one of the world's biggest cement makers, said in a statement it had been notified by Mexican authorities it owed the money for income generated by the foreign investments of two of its subsidiaries.

"If (the challenge) is resolved unfavorably after all legal options have been taken, these tax credits could have an adverse effect on Cemex's cash flow, financial condition and net profit," the company said.

The company has been struggling with debt since the collapse of the U.S. housing market just after Cemex's 2007 acquisition of Australian rival Rinker.

It now has a total debt of more than $18 billion, although it has no significant maturities until 2014 and it has been steadily meeting interest payments.

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