Virgin Australia continues its return to long-haul international flying with the launch of its inaugural Brisbane to Doha service which took off on Thursday.

Virgin Australia has officially reentered the long-haul international market with the launch of its first ever Sydney to Doha flight today, a cornerstone of its strategic alliance with Qatar Airways, marking a “pivotal moment” for the airline and Australian travellers alike.

Virgin Australia, the country’s second-largest airline group, has confirmed its intention to proceed with an Initial Public Offering (IPO), and will list on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) with trading expected to begin on 24 June.

Strong demand for air travel and limited domestic competition are among the factors that have helped Australia’s two largest airline groups, Qantas and Virgin Australia to finish up the first half of the 2024-25 financial year on a high note, according to a new report from the competition watchdog.

The Australian competition watchdog today announced it has granted authorisation to Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways to allow them to engage in cooperative conduct under an integrated alliance for five years. The arrangement will double the frequency of flights currently operated by Qatar Airways alone between Doha and major Australian airports.

The decision to approve Qatar Airways’ partial purchase of Virgin Australia, made yesterday by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), has been welcomed by the travel trade, with travellers expected to reap the benefits.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has confirmed it intends to give the green light to the cooperative alliance between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways for a five-year period.

Air India and Virgin Australia have inked a new codeshare agreement that will enhance connectivity and convenience for those travelling between India and Australia.

Qatar Airways will re-launch daily flights to Canberra in December 2025, operating via Melbourne from Hamad International Airport in Doha.

Under interim authorisation granted by the ACCC today, Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways can start marketing and selling 28 weekly scheduled return flights between Doha and Australia.

As the airlines await Australian Government approval for Qatar Airways acquisition of a 25% stake in Virgin Australia, they have strengthened ties in a different way.

Qatar Airways Group has agreed to acquire a minority equity stake (25%) in Virgin Australia (from owner, Bain Capital) in a move that will give the Gulf carrier additional capacity into the lucrative Australian market. In a joint statement today, the Qatari and Australian airlines confirmed plans to strengthen their existing alliance even further, with new non-stop flights to Doha enhancing competition with rival partner airlines, Qantas and Emirates through Dubai.