Australia Allows Qatar Airways to Take Virgin Australia Stake

Qatar Airways Ltd.’s acquisition of a 25% stake in Virgin Australia can proceed subject to enforceable conditions, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said, adding the deal would improve competition in the country’s highly-concentrated aviation sector.

In a statement on Thursday morning, Chalmers said the acquisition would increase Virgin Australia’s flight capacity on key international routes, while also providing a long-term pathway for the airline to operate its own long-haul flights.