The interim approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) allows Virgin Australia to market and sell 28 weekly scheduled return flights between Doha and Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.

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

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.

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’s alliance with Qatar Airways won’t negatively impact most partnerships or frequent flyer benefits. Existing partnerships with airlines like Singapore Airlines and South African Airways remain unchanged. The alliance aims to increase flight capacity and potentially lower fares.

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.