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International Air Services Commission approves Australia-Doha flights
March 6th 2025
Virgin Australia (VA) and Qatar Airways can begin flying between their two countries from June. Read More » “The Commission (IASC) considers the benefit to the public of Virgin Australia offering services on the route outweighs any detriment to the public of the proposed code-share between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways. The arrangement is likely to foster an environment in which Australian carriers can effectively compete with each other and with foreign carriers, specifically in the Australia-Middle East market and beyond. The arrangement is likely to strengthen Virgin Australia’s market position through a combined network offering with Qatar Airways, enabling the Australian carrier to compete with other carriers,” the IASC wrote in its decision to approve 28 flights a week to and from Qatar. Last week, Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approved a Qatar Airways Group investment of 25% in VA. Following the IASC approval, VA will implement its plan to operate wet-lease Qatar Airways 777-300ERs for flights from Sydney, Perth and Brisbane to Doha. In December, the carrier will commence Melbourne-Doha.
