This Month
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Qantas’ misdeeds shouldn’t scuttle Virgin-Qatar deal
The TWU stoush with Bain Capital over the next Virgin boss highlights corporate Australia’s wider reputational issues that have fuelled the populist backlash against business.
- The AFR View
November
Virgin’s plan to fly Qatar planes poised for ACCC green light
The Bain-backed airline hopes to fly the Gulf carrier’s Boeing 777s to Doha in a return to long-haul international services from the middle of next year.
- Ayesha de Kretser
October
Bain Capital’s Virgin Australia payday soars beyond $1b
Accounts filed by the airline show the private equity giant secured a bumper dividend from the carrier for a second year in a row as earnings continued to grow.
- Ayesha de Kretser
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Virgin earnings provide fresh clues on what the airline is worth
The airline’s results suggest Jayne Hrdlicka has taken advantage of Qantas’ distraction.
- James Thomson
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.
- Ayesha de Kretser
- Updated
- Aviation
Qatar Airways to buy 25pc of Virgin Australia, funding big expansion
The deal with Bain Capital will allow the Gulf carrier to effectively bypass government approvals for more flights, creating a formidable rival for Qantas.
- Updated
- Ayesha de Kretser
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
This is where the next battle between Virgin and Qantas will be fought
Virgin’s deal with Qatar will make it a stronger competitor to Qantas. But the two airlines are set to duke it out over one key part of the new arrangement.
- James Thomson
What do we know about Qatar Airways?
The acquisitive operator started only two decades ago, and now flies to more countries than almost any other. But it has had its fair share of controversies.
- Ayesha de Kretser
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
How the Virgin and Qatar deal could wedge Qantas and Labor
Bain’s deal with the Gulf carrier will make it a more formidable rival to Qantas, and put pressure on a government that claims to want stronger competition.
- James Thomson
June
- Analysis
- Aviation
Virgin IPO may not fly for next boss
There are plenty of big questions for the airline’s next chief executive – including what the carrier will look like, and how it will be owned, in the long run.
- Updated
- Ayesha de Kretser
Hrdlicka says Virgin Australia is IPO-ready when ‘market reopens’
Speaking in Dubai, Jayne Hrdlicka defended the carrier from market critics who say it is losing share to its larger rival Qantas and budget airline Jetstar.
- Updated
- Ayesha de Kretser
Virgin is IPO-ready: CEO | ‘Fraud’ signs in 90pc of NDIS managers | Bill Ackman’s big bet on himself
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
March
How a nervy market grounded Bain’s Virgin before IPO take-off
Jayne Hrdlicka always faced an uphill battle. Investors were encouraged to push her hard on the airline’s strategy. The doubts could not be overcome.
- Anthony Macdonald and Ayesha de Kretser
Virgin Australia records higher revenues, warns of headwinds ahead
The airline’s chief executive, Jayne Hrdlicka, did not provide additional detail about why was leaving the company later this year.
- Ayesha de Kretser
February
The Super Bowl party that paralysed the nation
It reveals the brittleness of Airservices’ operations, vulnerable as they are to every tipple and sniffle.
- Myriam Robin
- Updated
- Aviation
Hrdlicka to leave Virgin Australia, putting IPO plans on ice
The CEO has not provided a leaving date or any reason for her exit, and will stay on until a replacement is named.
- Updated
- Ayesha de Kretser and Kylar Loussikian
January
Power players rally for Sinner comeback
No prestige social event is complete without an iconic couple making a high-profile public showing.
- Myriam Robin
Craig Tiley’s plan to save tennis from the Saudis
The CEO marking 10 years at Tennis Australia is targeting a record crowd of a million people this year and a billion dollars in revenue within five years.
- Patrick Durkin
December 2023
Virgin cabin crew win up to 18pc in pay deal
The agreement comes as airlines face the threat of more competition and a slowing economy.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Virgin staff offered free cruise trip, up to 32pc above award pay
The airline will try to win agreement for a pay deal it says is worth $50 million, as it attempts to avoid industrial action over Christmas.
- Ayesha de Kretser