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Australia regulator issues draft approval of Virgin Australia-Qatar Airways alliance
February 19th 2025
In a draft determination, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said an alliance between Virgin Australia (VA) and Qatar Airways covering flights between Australia and Africa, Europe and the Middle East can go ahead. Read More » The ACCC announced it intended to approve the partnership for five years. The alliance will allow VA to launch flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to Doha with wet leased Qatar Airways aircraft. “We consider the proposed cooperative conduct will likely result in several public benefits such as increased choice of international flights, additional connectivity, convenience and loyalty program benefits for consumers,” ACCC Commissioner, Anna Brakey, said. “We consider Virgin Australia is unlikely to commence operating long-haul international services between Australia and the Middle East on a stand-alone basis in the next five years.” The ACCC granted interim authorisation for the tie-up last December, which allowed VA to sell tickets for its flights to Doha. Separately, the two airlines have yet to learn if Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board will approve a Qatar Airways application to acquire 25% of VA.
