A move by Qatar Airways to acquire a 20% stake in Virgin Australia could potentially shake up the national aviation sector, according to experts. The Middle East carrier is currently in discussions with Bain Capital-owned Virgin Australia, as reported by the Australian Financial Review.
Aviation expert Geoff Thomas mentioned that if the deal goes through, it could potentially lead to cheaper prices for international flights due to Qatar Airways seeking to compete with the Qantas-Emirates alliance.
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The federal government has previously rejected Qatar Airways’ attempts to secure additional flying rights to Australia, citing national security concerns, especially after an incident involving Australian women in 2020.