Australian travellers will benefit after a deeper strategic partnership between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways Group was given the green light by the Australian Government.
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Qatar Airways Group’s minority 25 per cent investment in Virgin Australia has now received Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval following the Federal Treasurer’s announcement today. This follows the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Draft Determination on 18 February indicating its intention to authorise the airlines’ integrated alliance, with final approval expected in March/April 2025. Together, they help open the door to the airline’s return to long-haul international flying.
Virgin Australia now awaits a decision from the International Air Services Commission (IASC) on what is an uncontested allocation of air rights for services between Australia and Qatar, due to commence in June.
Qatar Airways Group’s 25 per cent stake will provide Virgin Australia with access to the scale and expertise of a world-leading global airline, strengthening its ability to compete domestically and internationally and driving increased competition in Australian aviation.
Subject to IASC approval, Virgin Australia will return to long-haul flying in June 2025, with flights from Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to Doha. Flights from Melbourne to Doha are scheduled to commence in December 2025. These flights will be operated utilising aircraft wet-leased from Qatar Airways. As well as enhancing competition and placing downward pressure on international airfares, these flights will provide a significant boost to the Australian visitor economy, including the tourism sector, generating an estimated $3 billion in economic value over the next 5 years.