Qatar Airways to take stake in Virgin Australia as it proposes Doha flights

Virgin is Australia’s second-biggest airline and only rival to Qantas Airways on major domestic routes. It controls about 40 per cent of the domestic market, with more than 60 per cent flown by Qantas and its budget carrier Jetstar. Regional Express withdrew from flying on major capital city routes and entered voluntary administration in August after ex-budget carrier Bonza collapsed this year.Hrdlicka said Qatar’s backing would solidify Virgin’s longevity. Outgoing Virgin boss Jayne Hrdlicka estimates the proposed Doha route would generate $3 billion towards
the Australian economy.“It will further strengthen Virgin Australia’s ability to compete over the long term, which will inevitably translate into more choice and even better value airfares for consumers as well as additional Australian aviation jobs,” she said.The confirmation of Qatar’s stake follows more than a year of speculation about the future of Virgin, which intensified after Bain delayed a long-mooted…