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.

Virgin Australia is edging closer to resuming long-haul international flights, although it will be with Qatar Airways aircraft and crews.

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Virgin Australia can start selling tickets for new Qatar Airways-operated flights between Doha and four Australian capital cities following an interim approval by the country's competition watchdog on Friday.

Australian competition watchdog the ACCC has given an interim greenlight for Virgin Australia to offer international flights through Qatar Airways on a ‘wet lease’ basis, with Virgin selling tickets for Qatari flights. With the ACCC approval, Virgin will be able to begin selling tickets by

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.

The Gulf carrier will almost double its flights to Australia in mid-2025 to ride the peak ‘northern summer’ travel wave.

ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said: “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.”

ACCC has given temporary authorisation to Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways to engage in cooperative conduct under an integrated alliance.

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.