The approval allows Virgin Australia to market and sell 28 weekly scheduled return flights between Doha and Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney

The ACCC says the new services will be offered subject to final regulatory approval. However, its interim authorisation usually results in a final authorisation, which would be valid for five years. Qatar's proposed investment in Virgin also remains subject to approval from Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board.

Australia's competition watchdog said on Friday it had given its interim approval for Virgin Australia [IPO-VIR.AX] to start selling Qatar Airways-operated flights between Doha and four capital cities in Australia.

The competition watchdog will allow Virgin to start selling tickets on Qatar Airways-operated flights to Doha, but has warned the closer partnership between the airlines remains subject to final approval by the regulator and the Foreign Investment Review Board overseen by federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

Australian competition watchdog allows for the marketing of flights, even though it is yet to give final approval to Qatar Airways’ 25% stake acquisition

The interim approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) allows Virgin Australia to market and sell 28 weekly scheduled return flights between Doha and Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted interim approval for a partnership between Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia, which allows them to sell long-haul return flights starting in June 2025.