Someone clearly has an exquisite sense of timing. How else would you explain the decision to release Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ approval for Qatar Airways’ investment in a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia just minutes before Qantas released its December-half result?

It was a neat way to officially fire the starter’s gun on a new battle for the skies between Qantas, whose recovery from its recent crisis is gaining momentum, and Virgin, which can now push hard into the international market with the backing of a deep-pocketed shareholder.