Based on the original article by Adella Beani found here.
Travellers can expect cheaper international flights as Australia greenlights Qatar Airways’ 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia, ramping up competition and expanding routes.
The deal will allow Virgin to lease planes from the Qatari airline and compete on routes to and from Australia and Doha beginning in June.
The Australian government needed to approve the move under foreign investment rules, with the tick of approval announced on Thursday morning.
Virgin Australia says entering the market for flights to and from the Middle Eastern hub will push down prices for Aussie travellers.
Here is everything you need to know about the new partnership.
The deal will open a way for Virgin to lease planes from Qatari Airlines and compete on routes to and from Australia and Doha, beginning in June. Picture: Getty Images
The deal, expected to lower airfares and boost regional tourism, will introduce 28 new weekly return flights between Doha and major Australian cities.
Flights from Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to Doha will begin in June, with Melbourne following in December. Tickets have been on sale for months, and Melbourne-to-Doha offerings will begin in December.
The agreement also includes a secondment program for 60 Australian-based pilots and cabin crew to gain long-haul experience in Doha.
People stepping off a Virgin Australia flight in Doha will be connected to Qatar Airways’ expansive international routes.
Travel experts believe the 28 extra flights out of Australia each week will lower travel costs.
“It’s been a long time coming … this is a really good move for international travellers out of Australia for sure,” Graham Turner from Flight Centre told the Today show on Thursday 27 February 2025.
“It’s a significant number (of flights) … the capacity is quite high, and it will certainly make a difference in terms of competitiveness and capacity.
“Airfares generally have been pretty reasonably high. They’ve come off a bit recently, but also the capacity – it’s not that easy to get a spare seat these days.”
Crew from Virgin Australia stand beside a Qatar Airways Boeing 777. Picture: Getty Images
Concerns had been raised by pilot and cabin crew unions about staff working under less strict Qatari labour laws.
However, Virgin said in a statement: “Following consultation with unions and relevant cabin crew and pilot communities, there has been an overwhelming response to the expressions of interest for secondment opportunities for Virgin Australia pilot and cabin crew with Qatar Airways.”
“This will also provide promotional opportunities for other team members and new hires through the backfilling of seconded staff.”
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said this “final tick-off for the Virgin-Qatar partnership” has a huge potential to build Virgin’s “international footprint and ensure opportunities for workers.”
“TWU members at Virgin were deeply involved in the administration process and extracted commitments to ensure the airline kept its regional and international footprints. We’ve seen Virgin return as a strong second airline and this tie-up will ensure stability into the future,” he said.
“There are still significant concerns around labour standards, and we need to see workers deeply involved in this next phase to see the best outcome out of this partnership.”
The deal will now be subject to International Air Services Commission (IASC) approval.
The IASC has to approve an allocation of air rights for flights between Australia and Qatar.
A Virgin spokesperson said this international commission submission was uncontested.
Thanks for this… helps explain a lot. Looking forward to fares dropping a little now.