Qatar Airways, the country's flagship carrier, is considering an initial public offering (IPO) in 2011 and has appointed advisors for the purpose, its chief executive said on Tuesday.   

'It could be this year. The more market share we gain, the timeline moves forward,' Akbar Al Baker told reporters. He declined to name the advisors.

In December, the company indicated it was planning an IPO in early 2012 after three consecutive years of profit.

The airline, half-owned by sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority, is close to finalising a 35 percent stake in Europe's largest all-freight airline Cargolux.

Qatar, the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, is building a new airport with the capacity to accommodate 50 million passengers per year.

It will host the 2022 football World Cup tournament. - Reuters