Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia received approval from ACCC for integrated alliance

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has given the Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia the final approval to form an integrated alliance. Virgin Australia's new 28-week flights between Australia and Doha, which are run under a wet-lease with Qatar Airways, are officially approved by this final decision.  

By approving Qatar Airways' alliance with Virgin Australia, the ACCC allows the Australian airline to reenter the long-haul international market and get access to the size and experience of a major international airline. In addition to giving Australian passengers more options and value, this will spur more competition in the market.

Virgin Australia plans to launch long-haul flights from Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to Doha starting in June 2025, with Melbourne to Doha following in December 2025, using aircraft that it has wet-leased from Qatar Airways. The flights provide more than 100 connecting itineraries throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa via the award-winning Hamad International Airport in Doha. Additionally, Australian passengers can take advantage of a variety of enhanced loyalty earn and redemption opportunities for Velocity and Privilege Club members of Qatar Airways.

Furthermore, the flights will generate a projected AUD$3 billion in economic value over the following five years, contributing significantly to the Australian tourist and tourism sector.

The partnership will also help create jobs in Virgin Australia and the larger aviation and tourist industries in Australia. In 2025, Qatar Airways is expected to offer secondment opportunities for 40 cabin crew members and 20 Virgin Australia pilots. The cooperation also places a lot of emphasis on sustainability, which includes creating programs for sustainable aviation fuel.

This comes when on February 27, 2025, the Australian Government approved Qatar Airways Group's 25% ownership in Virgin Australia, joining current controlling shareholder Bain Capital.