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.

Qatar Airways plans to acquire 25% of Virgin Australia, potentially to reshape the Qantas-dominated Australian aviation market.

Qantas shares dived at market open on the ASX after Qatar Airways agreed to acquire a 25% stake in rival Virgin Australia.

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.

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.

He loves to work with and for airlines, including Qantas and Virgin Australia. Qatar Airways has announced plans to buy a 25% minority stake in Virgin Australia from its owner, US private equity firm Bain Capital.

Qatar Airways will buy a 25% stake in Australia's No. 2 airline Virgin Australia from U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital, the companies said on Tuesday, as the Gulf carrier looks for access into Australian routes that the government denied last year.

Qatar Airways has announced it intends to buy a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia. Sky News Business Reporter Edward Boyd said by mid-2025, Virgin Australia will be “flying from some of the big capital cities direct to Doha” and travellers can continue to fly on to other European destinations with Qatar.