<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>339163</docID> <postdate>2025-02-27 08:52:40</postdate> <headline>Qatar Airways’ stake in Virgin Australia approved</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-300053" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Virgin-airlines-pic-rotated-e1703970984400.jpg" alt="" width="563" height="375" /></p> <caption>Qatar Airways' acquisition of a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia has been approved. Photo: Scott Mayman</caption> <p><strong>Qatar Airways' acquisition of a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia has been approved by the federal government subject to conditions.</strong></p> <p>Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the approval on Thursday, saying the proposal would deliver more flights for Australians, create Australian jobs and strengthen competition in the aviation sector.</p> <p>"My decision aligns with the advice of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) that this proposal is consistent with the national interest," he said in a statement.</p> <p>The government approval followed cross-government consultation by Treasury, engaging the aviation industry, unions and other relevant stakeholders.</p> <p>It follows the draft determination by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to allow the airlines to engage in co-operative conduct under an integrated alliance for five years, leading to 28 new weekly return services between Doha and Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.</p> <p>Mr Chalmers said he had approved the proposal subject to legally enforceable conditions to ensure Australian representation on Virgin's board and protection of its customer data.</p> <p>"The CEOs of Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways have written to me with assurances that this investment will create employment benefits and job growth opportunities for Australians," he said.</p> <p>The proposal is expected to provide a long-term pathway for Virgin Australia to operate its own long-haul flights.</p> </body>