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<postdate>2024-12-21 10:21:25</postdate>
<headline>Virgin gives destination Abu Dhabi the nudge</headline>
<body><p><span class="kicker-line">By aviation writerÂ <strong>Scott Mayman</strong></span></p>
<p><strong>Flights between Canberra and Abu Dhabi just got a little bit harder, while next year offers Virgin flights to Doha.</strong></p>
<p>Virgin's negotiations of a tie up with Qatar Airlines has both airlines talking about flights linking Canberra with Doha. However, passengers will still need to first fly to Melbourne.</p>
<p>Details of the plan are still being ratified.</p>
<p>But the Virgin-Qatar deal comes at a cost. Virgin's long-running association with Etihad Airlines, is coming to an end because of Qatar's investment and future scheduling arrangements with the Aussie carrier.</p>
<p>That means, from July anyone from Canberra will need to purchase a second ticket with Qatar... or fly through another international city, to get to Abu Dhabi.</p>
<p>https://citynews.com.au/2024/qatars-feeling-the-love-for-canberra-again/</p>
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