Qatar Airways expands partnership into Australia
Qatar Airways Group recently announced its ambitious plans to acquire a 25% equity stake in Virgin Australia.
As reported by Travel News, if successful, the deal will place Qatar Airways as an important investor in Virgin Australia, which is also on its way towards a potential return to public ownership.
It was also revealed that the new collaboration will offer several advantages, including competitive fares, enhanced connectivity, as well as an expanded loyalty programme.
The two airlines will also launch flights from the Australian cities of Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to Doha, which is estimated to generate an economic benefit of around AUD3bn (R35,8bn) to the Australian economy.
These flights will kick off by mid-2025.
25% in Airlink too
This news comes just a few months after Qatar Airways Group acquired a 25% stake in Southern Africa’s independent regional carrier, Airlink.
The new code-sharing partnership between the two airlines will reportedly strengthen the Qatari airline’s Africa growth strategy and secure its role as a key driver to the continent’s economic success.
The partnership between the Qatari airline and Airlink will also aim to align both carriers’ loyalty programs – Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Airlink Skybucks.
On the announcement, Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said that their investment in Airlink further demonstrated how integral they saw Africa being to their business’ future.
“This partnership not only demonstrates our confidence in Airlink, as a company that is resilient, agile, financially robust and governed on sound principles, but also in Africa as a whole, showing huge potential that I am delighted we are able to help start realising.” Al-Meer said in the statement.
Airlink Chief Executive Rodger Foster added that having the Qatari airline as an equity partner was a powerful endorsement of Airlink.
