Qatar Airways plans to acquire a 25% stake in Virgin Australia, enhancing competition and offering better value for Australian air

Qatar Airways plans to take a 25% stake in Australia’s Virgin Australia Airlines Pty, deepening ties between the two carriers, including Virgin starting flights to Doha to feed into the Gulf carrier’s international network.

Qatar Airways’ previous attempts to expand in Australia haven’t always gone smoothly. But will Qantas be worried regardless?

Qatar Airways Group has announced plans to buy a 25% minority stake in Virgin Australia from Bain Capital, strengthening the existing partnership between the two airlines. According to Virgin Australia,

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.

The planned minority stake will see Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways to offer more commercial flights and an increased freight capacity for Australian companies

Virgin Australia’s planned return to international long-haul flying via a controversial new deal with Qatar Airways has set the stage for another battle with Qantas, with Australia’s biggest airline to oppose the proposed arrangement as bilateral air rights by stealth.

After Qantas successfully lobbied against extra Qatar Airways flights, the Middle Eastern airline has exacted revenge on the Flying Kangaroo with a deal that will increase competition and possibly result in cheaper fares.

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.

The existing partnership between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways will be strengthened with announcement that Qatar Airways Group intends to acquire a minority 25% equity

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.