Qatar Airways to acquire 25% stake in Virgin Australia

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Airways plans to acquire a minority 25% equity stake in Virgin Australia from Bain Capital, subject to Foreign Investment Review Bo...

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Airways plans to acquire a minority 25% equity stake in Virgin Australia from Bain Capital, subject to Foreign Investment Review Board approval. 

In a press statement, Virgin Australia said that a deeper strategic relationship between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways will drive increased competition in Australian aviation, ensuring travellers to Australia have access to even better value airfares and greater choice. 

The airlines further said that once approved, this cooperation will enable Virgin Australia to launch flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to Doha, connecting seamlessly into Qatar Airways’ global network. These extra flights will open up more than 100 new connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Australian travellers. 

The proposed wet lease services will begin in mid-2025, allowing Virgin Australia to assess the longer-term merits and viability of wide-body aircraft flying while providing Australians with greater local competition for their long-haul travel needs in the near-term. 

The deepened partnership has the potential to underpin significant jobs and economic growth, not just in Virgin Australia but across both the broader aviation and tourism sectors in Australia.