Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia have received the final approval for their integrated airline alliance
It got the final green light from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
It now enables Virgin Australia’s new 28 weekly flights between Australia and Doha – operated under a wet-lease with Qatar Airways – to proceed.
Utilising the wet-lease partnership from Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia is set to commence long-haul flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth to Doha from June 2025.
Melbourne flights to Doha will start in December 2025. Connecting through Hamad International Airport in Doha, Virgin passengers get access to more than 100 connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The Virgin-Qatar Air alliance also offers increased loyalty earn and redemption opportunities for both Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club and Virgin Velocity members.
The airlines say the Australian visitor and tourism economy will get a boost of an estimated A$3 billion in economic value over the next five years.
The Australian Government approved Qatar Airways Group’s 25% stake in Virgin Australia last month.
Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “This marks the start of a new chapter in the relationship between our two airlines, and our collective commitment to supporting Australian businesses, Australian jobs and the wider economy.”
In October 2024, Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia o signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a range of sustainability initiatives, including advancing the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), environmental management including waste and energy management and aviation workforce development.
