Qatar Airways will take a 25% stake in Virgin Australia, following approval of the investment by Australia’s Department of the Treasury. 

The investment sets the stage for Virgin Australia to resume long-haul flying this summer for the first time since reorganizing during the pandemic. 

Bain Capital, which acquired Virgin Australia in 2020, remains majority owner. 

The airline expects to recommence long-haul operations in June, serving the Qatari capital of Doha from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, subject to route approval by Australian regulators. Flights from Melbourne to Doha are slated for a December launch. 

Virgin Australia has an all-narrowbody fleet, so Virgin will lease Qatar Airways widebodies staffed by Qatar crews to operate those routes. 

Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia have been codesharing since 2022. 

Qatar also owns portions of Latam Airlines, Cathay Pacific, JSX, South Africa’s Airlink and International Airlines Group (parent of British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Level and Aer Lingus).