Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia win final go-ahead for alliance
April 2, 2025
Virgin Australia is set to re-enter the long-haul international market with new flights to Doha, following final approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for its alliance with Qatar Airways.
The ruling allows Virgin Australia to operate 28 weekly flights between Australia and Doha under a wet-lease arrangement with Qatar Airways, strengthening competition in the market and expanding travel options for Australian passengers.
Starting in June 2025, Virgin Australia will launch services from Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to Doha, with flights from Melbourne to follow in December.
These routes will provide access to over 100 destinations through Qatar Airways’ hub at Hamad International Airport. The partnership is also expected to inject AUD$3 billion into Australia’s tourism economy over five years.
In addition to boosting competition, the collaboration will support job growth and sustainability initiatives, reinforcing Virgin Australia’s commitment to expanding its global footprint with the backing of Qatar Airways.
Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer Dave Emerson said: “This is a defining moment for Virgin Australia and the Australian aviation landscape. The ACCC’s final approval of our deeper strategic partnership with Qatar Airways marks the start of a new chapter for our airline and a world of opportunities for our people and customers.
“Already, we are seeing some of the positive benefits of the partnership, including increased sale activity on airfares between Australia and Europe, the Middle East and Africa thanks to increased competition.
“We are pleased to welcome Qatar Airways as not just a strategic partner, but a part owner in Virgin Australia. This reflects a huge vote of confidence from a leading global airline in our business and in Australian aviation more broadly.”
