Qatar Airways is set to return to Canberra later this year, completing the restoration of its Australian network after multiple routes were suspended during the Middle East conflict.
The Doha-based airline will return to the nation’s capital from 8 December, initially flying four times per week between Doha and Canberra (via Melbourne in each direction) before ramping up to daily flights in March 2027, Canberra Airport CEO Stephen Byron said.
In December 2025, Qatar Airways resumed its long-haul Doha-Canberra service after more than five years, following a suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the route was paused again shortly after the outbreak of the US/Israel-Iran war in late February.
With the Canberra comeback, Qatar Airways will once again fly to six Australian ports, including daily services to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, where it resumed operations less than three weeks ago.
Mr Byron said the return to the ACT was a “strong vote of confidence in the Canberra market”.
“Qatar Airways’ return will give Canberrans better global connectivity and more competition, while supporting tourism, trade, business travel, education and visiting friends and relatives across the ACT and surrounding region,” he remarked.
According to The Canberra Times, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the move would be a “welcome step in rebuilding Canberra’s international connections”.
“This strengthens our ability to attract more international travellers to Canberra, creating opportunities for local tourism and hospitality businesses,” he stated.
“Improved access makes it easier for visitors to include Canberra in their Australian journey, supporting sustainable growth in our visitor economy.”
According to its website, Qatar Airways will utilise its Boeing 777-300ER on the route, which will depart Canberra (flight QR989) at 12.30pm and arrive in Doha at 10.25pm on the same day. The return leg (QR988) will leave Doha at 8.25am and land in Canberra at 8.30am the next day.
The move comes just days after the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) lowered its travel advice for Qatar, following months of heightened concerns. Read more about that here.
The announcement also follows the launch of Virgin Australia’s first-ever direct Canberra-Bali flights. The carrier flies thrice weekly on the route. Fiji Airways operates the only other international service out of the ACT.
Check out our interview with Qatar Airways Australia/New Zealand Manager Justin Kestel, who details how the carrier is elevating long-haul travel for Australians.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Canberra’s international revival keeps gathering momentum. Qatar Airways’ return restores valuable long-haul choice, but the bigger win is renewed confidence that global airlines again see Australia’s capital as a market worth backing.
