Qatar Airways plans to acquire a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia, while the existing codeshare agreement between the two carriers is also expected to expand.

This minority stake represents a foundational investment in anticipation of Virgin Australia's potential return to public ownership, offering Australians the chance to participate in the airline's future growth.

Qatar Airways will buy a 25% stake in Virgin Australia from U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital, posing a tougher contest for Qantas Airways that has dominated Australian routes and pushed back against giving access to the Middle Eastern carrier.

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.

Virgin Australia will soon be partly owned by Qatar Airways and begin flying to Doha as soon as mid-2025, pending regulatory approvals.Virgin confirmed the Gulf carrier’s intentions to take a 25 per cent stake in the Australian airline if approved by the Foreign Investment Review Board,

Qatar Airways unveiled a bid to take a 25 percent stake in troubled airline Virgin Australia on Tuesday, a deal that could shake up Australia's Qantas-dominated market.

The Australian's Associate Editor Eric Johnston says Qantas faces a “competitive threat” following Qatar’s plans to buy a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia.

Qatar Airways intends to acquire a quarter stake in Virgin Australia in a partnership the Australian airline calls a "missing piece" of its long-term strategy.