Qatar Airways Group And Virgin Australia Receive Final Go-Ahead From The ACCC For Integrated Alliance

ACCC Greenlights Qatar Airways-Virgin Australia Alliance

The Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia have been granted final approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for their integrated alliance. This decision officially clears the way for Virgin Australia to launch 28 new weekly flights between Australia and Doha, which will be operated under a wet-lease arrangement with Qatar Airways.  

The ACCC’s endorsement of the partnership between Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia gives the Australian airline access to the scale and expertise of a leading global carrier, facilitating its reentry into long-haul international routes. This initiative will boost competition in the market, providing Australian travellers with expanded options and improved value.

Virgin Australia plans to initiate long-haul flights utilizing wet-leased aircraft from Qatar Airways. Routes will operate from Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to Doha starting June 2025, with additional flights from Melbourne to Doha commencing December 2025. These services will transit through the acclaimed Hamad International Airport in Doha, offering over 100 connecting options to locations throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Moreover, Australian travellers can benefit from improved loyalty earning and redemption options through Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Velocity membership.

In addition, the flights are expected to significantly boost Australia's tourism and visitor economy, adding an estimated AUD$3 billion in economic value over the next five years. This partnership will facilitate job growth for Virgin Australia and the broader aviation and tourism sectors. Qatar Airways intends to provide secondment opportunities for 20 Virgin Australia pilots and 40 cabin crew in 2025. Another key aspect of the partnership is its emphasis on sustainability, featuring initiatives to create Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

This follows the Australian Government's approval of Qatar Airways Group’s 25 percent stake in Virgin Australia on February 27, 2025, alongside the existing majority owner, Bain Capital.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “Today’s announcement by the ACCC sends a clear signal of the appetite that exists for delivering competition, world-class service and value to Australian passengers.

“We are pleased to welcome Qatar Airways as not just a strategic partner, but a part owner in Virgin Australia. This reflects a huge vote of confidence from a leading global airline in our business and in Australian aviation more broadly.”

Bain Capital Partner, Mr. Mike Murphy said: “This important milestone allows the airlines to harness their collective strength and unlock new areas of cooperation for the benefit of Australian consumers. We are delighted to officially welcome Qatar Airways Group as a minority investor in Virgin Australia.”

In October 2024, Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on multiple sustainability initiatives. This partnership aims to advance Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), improve environmental management practices concerning waste and energy, enhance sustainable procurement processes, and develop the aviation workforce.