The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted interim authorisation to Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways, which will allow them to engage in cooperative conduct under an integrated alliance.
The ACCC has also accepted a court enforceable undertaking from Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways in relation to the conduct.
Under the interim authorisation, the two airlines can commence marketing and can start selling 28 weekly scheduled return flights between Doha and Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
The new services will be in addition to the international services already operated by Qatar Airways.
Both airlines sought urgent interim authorisation to enable Virgin Australia to start flying its new Australia-Doha services from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in June 2025, with Perth services to follow in November 2025. The new services will be offered subject to final regulatory approval by the ACCC and other government bodies.
”We consider that granting interim authorisation now will allow Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia the lead time to undertake the necessary planning discussions, marketing, selling and system alignment in preparation for Virgin Australia to commence flying the new services by June 2025,” said Mick Keogh, ACCC deputy chair.
The undertaking accepted by the ACCC today ensures that if final regulatory approval is ultimately not granted, then customers who have booked these proposed new services would be protected.
Keogh added: “Affected customers will be given the option of a refund or re-accommodation on a suitable alternative flight at no additional charge and would not be out of pocket for any reasonably foreseeable costs if these proposed new services ultimately don’t get approved.”
Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia have sought authorisation for five years, with the ACCC expecting to release a draft determination in February 2025.