Virgin Australia is set to return to long-haul international flying as part of a proposed 25% acquisition by Qatar Airways.

Subject to ACCC authorisation, this cooperation will enable Virgin Australia to launch flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to Doha, connecting seamlessly into Qatar Airways’ global network.

The proposed wet lease services will begin in mid-2025, allowing Virgin Australia to assess the longer-term merits and viability of wide-body aircraft flying.

The services will be operated by Qatar Airways crew using the carrier’s widebody aircraft, also providing the Doha-based carrier with additional services to and from Australia.

Virgin Australia Group CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, said the new proposed long-haul services between Australia and Doha were estimated to generate an economic benefit of around AU$3 billion to the Australian economy through incremental visitor flows over the next five years.

“I am delighted that our closer relationship allows us to put our ‘toe in the water’ regarding long-haul international, as well as the ability to deepen other areas of existing cooperation, including between our respective loyalty programs and code sharing arrangements,” she said.

The carriers say the expanded codeshare and collaboration arrangement will provide access to a greater range of international destinations with improved schedules and frequencies, increased earn and redemption opportunities for members of Velocity and Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club, and broader access to great value fares for leisure travellers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and corporate customers.