In a submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Qantas international boss Cam Wallace says the airline welcomed competition from more than 50 carriers, claiming it ultimately resulted in a better experience for customers. But for reasons that we may never fully understand, Qantas stands against competition from Qatar Airways.

In particular, Qantas objects to plans by its biggest domestic rival, Virgin Australia, to lease planes and crew from Qatar. Virgin and Qatar plan to use this arrangement to get more flights out of the country and into the Gulf – a key connection point for lucrative routes into Europe.