Qatar Airways has entered into an agreement to purchase a 25% stake in Virgin Australia from owner Bain Capital for an undisclosed amount.

The investment, should it meet the approval of Australian regulators, would deepen the partnership between two carriers, which have been codesharing since 2022. It would also set the stage for Virgin Australia to resume long-haul flying in mid-2025 for the first time since reorganizing during the pandemic and being acquired in 2020 by Bain. 

Virgin Australia said it intends to launch flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to Doha, opening the door to more than 100 new connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Australian travelers.

Virgin Australia has an all narrowbody fleet but would lease Qatar Airways widebodies staffed by Qatar crews. 

Virgin Australia entered into the Australian version of bankruptcy early in the Covid-19 pandemic, having entered the Covid crisis weakened by years of losses. Under Bain, the airline has flown only domestic and short-haul international routes and has achieved profitability. 

Virgin Australia Group is the second-largest airline company in Australia, behind Qantas Group.