Qatar rebalances the scales in a long game of revenge against Qantas
A decade long drama between the Gulf carrier and the national carrier ultimately led to the blockbuster Virgin Australia deal, shaking up the aviation sector.
Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka and Qatar’s former boss, Akbar Al Baker have played the long game against Qantas and its former CEO Alan Joyce. Michaela Pollock
It was an act of revenge years in the making. On Tuesday, Qatar Airways announced it would buy 25 per cent of Virgin Australia, cementing its status as the bete noir of national carrier Qantas by finally gaining a meaningful foothold in one of the world’s most lucrative aviation markets.
For Qantas, the deal is an unmitigated disaster. Under its former chief executive Alan Joyce, the airline had been fighting for years to keep Qatar out of Australia. His cause was helped by a hostile Labor government that had stymied Qatar’s previous attempt to land more planes in Australia.
Ayesha de KretserSenior reporterAyesha de Kretser is a senior reporter with The Australian Financial Review covering the aviation and tourism sectors. She has previously reported on banking, mining and commodity markets. Connect with Ayesha on Twitter. Email Ayesha at ayesha.dekretser@afr.com.au
