Qatar Airways has announced its intention to buy a 25% stake in Virgin Australia as the Middle East airline takes a new approach to strengthening its presence in the Australian market. The Qatari flag carrier is hoping to acquire a stake in the country’s second biggest airline from Bain Capital,

Qatar Airways has announced plans to buy a 25% minority stake in Virgin Australia from its owner, US private equity firm Bain Capital.

Virgin announced on Oct. 1 that Qatar aims to acquire a 25% stake in the Australian airline from owner Bain Capital. The pair are already strategic partners, and the stake would lead them to strengthen their relationship, the carriers said. The Qatar Airways interest has been previously reported.