Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia Gain ACCC Approval for Strategic Alliance
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission grants final approval for Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia to strengthen their partnership, enhancing flight offerings and market competition.
Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia Gain ACCC Approval for Strategic Alliance
The approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) solidifies the airlines’ joint commitment.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has officially granted final approval for Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia’s strategic alliance. This decision paves the way for the launch of Virgin Australia’s new 28 weekly flights connecting Australia and Doha, with operations set to begin in mid-2025.
The ACCC’s authorization of this partnership enables Virgin Australia to leverage Qatar Airways’ extensive resources and expertise, enhancing competition in the long-haul sector and providing Australian travelers with more choices and better value. As part of this collaboration, Virgin Australia plans to initiate long-haul flights from major Australian cities to Doha, eventually expanding to Melbourne by December 2025.
This expansion is projected to significantly impact the Australian tourism industry, contributing an estimated AUD$3 billion to the economy over the next five years and supporting job growth within the sector.
Key Statements
Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, CEO of Qatar Airways Group, affirmed:
“Today’s announcement by the ACCC sends a clear signal of the appetite that exists for delivering competition, world-class service, and value to Australian passengers.”
Dave Emerson, CEO of Virgin Australia, remarked:
“This is a defining moment for Virgin Australia and the Australian aviation landscape.”
Mike Murphy, Bain Capital Partner, stated:
“This important milestone allows the airlines to harness their collective strength and unlock new areas of cooperation for the benefit of Australian consumers.”
Additionally, Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia are committed to sustainability initiatives, including developing Sustainable Aviation Fuel projects as part of their partnership.
