Qatar Airways to take quarter stake in Virgin Australia

by

Qatar Airways plans to take a 25 per cent stake in code-share partner Virgin Australia in a move that will expand the Gulf carrier’s global network.

Qatar plans to acquire the minority stake from Virgin Australia owner Bain Capital, the companies said in a joint statement.

The move aims to give Qatar Airways better access to a market where it was denied more connections by the Federal Government last year — a contentious move the airline said was unfair and protected rival Qantas’ dominant position in the market.

Virgin said the stake would allow for a measured entry into long-haul international flying by the middle of next year, with significant flow on benefits for Australian travellers and the economy.

“A deeper strategic relationship between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways will drive increased competition in Australian aviation,” the statement said.

“This will ensure Australian consumers have access to even better value airfares and greater choice.

Leave a Comment

url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url