The Virgin Australia x Qatar Airways alliance is officially a go after the Australian Government gave the go-ahead for Qatar Airways Group’s minority 25 per cent stake, also leading the way for Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval.
First floated in November last year and granted interim approval by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) on 18 February 2025 for a strategic five-year alliance, the Virgin Australia x Qatar Airways partnership will unlock more choice and connections for Aussie travellers.
Virgin Australia flyers and Velocity members can access long-haul flights again with services from Australia to Doha and benefit from better value and options for travel to Europe, the Middle East and Africa on Qatar Airways’ global network.
Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka welcomed a new era for the airline.
“Qatar Airways’ investment is a huge vote of confidence in our business and Australian aviation more broadly. It sets us up for long-term success and adds fuel to our bold transformation agenda,” she said.
“This is a major win for Australian consumers, who are already benefiting from more choice and greater value when travelling to Europe, the Middle East and Africa since our flights went on sale in December.
“Each of our 8,000 team members has played an important role in getting us to this point. Many of our people are personally excited about the secondment opportunities, and we have seen this through the extraordinary response to the expressions of interest for pilot and cabin crew roles with Qatar Airways.
“Virgin Australia has a bright future, and we will continue to go from strength to strength with Qatar Airways by our side.”
The aviation and travel industry responds
Australian Airports Association (AAA) CEO Simon Westaway welcomed the approved Virgin Australia x Qatar Airways deal, saying the alliance will introduce further capacity and choice for Australian and international travellers and freight opportunities.
“This deal is a major win for the aviation industry and the Australian flying public as it improves competition and connectivity. We’re pleased to see this move that will drive down airfares and create job growth,” he said.
Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) National Secretary Michael Caine said the Virgin Australia x Qatar Airways partnership was a positive move that would provide stability for Virgin Australia, job opportunities and better services, provided VA’s safeguards for workers are honoured.
“With this final tick-off for the Virgin-Qatar partnership, there’s a huge potential here to build Virgin’s international footprint and ensure opportunities for workers,” 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.
“We’ve seen Virgin return as a strong second airline and this tie-up will ensure stability into the future.”
Flight Centre Corporate Global COO Melissa Elf said the Virgin Australia x Qatar Airways partnership will enable stronger competition, bolstering choice and affordability for business and leisure travel.
“It will not only make travel to the Middle East and Europe more affordable for our corporate travellers, but it will importantly see inbound benefits to Australian trade and tourism,” she said.
“Those extra flights will certainly have an impact on international travel out of Australia, particularly to Europe, which has generally been slower to return to pre-pandemic capacity and has seen higher airfares as a result.”
Final signoff
Virgin Australia still needs to dot the ‘I’s’ and cross the ‘T’s’ before commencing flights between Australia and Doha in June 2025.
The ACCC is expected to grant final approval on the alliance by March or April 2025.
VA now awaits an International Air Services Commission (IASC) decision on the uncontested allocation of air rights for services between Australia and Qatar.
Subject to IASC approval, VA 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.
Bain Capital, Virgin Group and Queensland Investment Corporation will retain shareholdings in Virgin Australia.
