Virgin Australia’s partnership with Qatar Airways has received approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), enabling the airlines to significantly increase flight options between Australia and Doha over the next five years. This alliance will introduce 28 new weekly return flights from four major Australian cities—Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth—commencing in June for the three eastern cities and from November for Perth.
As part of the agreement, Qatar will operate its aircraft and crew under Virgin’s flight numbers during this period. ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey noted that the deal promises enhanced capacity and potentially lower ticket prices, benefitting consumers with more options and additional connectivity across international routes. The commission expects that the increased competition will place downward pressure on fares while providing loyalty program advantages for customers of both carriers.
The ACCC also reassured that the partnership would not adversely impact Australia’s domestic aviation workforce. Brakey commented on the unlikelihood of any Australian airline launching standalone services between Australia and Doha without this collaboration.
Virgin Australia maintains its existing agreements with South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic, despite the new alliance. The partnership application was submitted on October 11, 2023, and an interim authorisation was granted in November, allowing for preparatory steps to formalise the cooperation.
Tickets for the new flights will be available for purchase since December, with the recent development including Qatar Airways acquiring a 25 per cent share in Virgin Australia. This investment, praised by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, is anticipated to bring economic advantages such as job creation and enhanced tourism, positioning Australia more prominently on the global travel map.
Both airlines are yet to comment on this recent approval.