Darwin-Doha flights move closer as regulator green ticks airlines partnership
A new alliance between two global carriers could see additional international flights in and out of Darwin. Read the latest.
Northern Territory
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The competition watchdog has authorised Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways’ proposed partnership, that could potentially open the skies to flights between Darwin and Doha.
A draft determination released Tuesday signalled the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission had endorsed the airlines’ five-year integrated alliance plan.
ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said the proposed “cooperative conduct” would deliver national benefit.
Virgin and Qatar are seeking regulatory approval to integrate into an alliance to allow them to engage in so-called “cooperative conduct” under a proposed five-year alliance.
Last week the NT News published details of Virgin’s ACCC submission, which flagged the potential for a stand-alone Darwin-Doha route to link the NT and the Middle East.
Under the proposed arrangements, Virgin Australia would use Qatar Airways’ aircraft and crew to operate the new services under what’s known as a ‘wet lease’ in the aviation industry.
“We consider that the proposed cooperative conduct would likely result in several public benefits including providing enhanced products and services for air travellers which would include increased choice of international flights, with additional connectivity, convenience and loyalty program benefits for consumers,” Ms Brakey said.
She said concerns raised by “a number of interested parties” about the impact on Australian workforce laws and regulations as well as the utilisation of Qatar-based crews would also not have serious impact.
“We consider that Virgin Australia is unlikely to commence operating long-haul international services between Australia and the Middle East on a stand-alone basis in the next five years,” Ms Brakey
“In those circumstances, we do not consider that there is likely to be a material detrimental impact on the Australian aviation workforce as a result of the conduct.”
Pending other regulatory approvals including safety audits and integrated air services agreements, ACCC’s authorisation clears the way for the two businesses’ to operate in tandem.
On November 29, 2024 the ACCC granted interim authorisation to Virgin and Qatar to commence marketing and selling the new Australia-Doha services.
In granting interim authorisation, the ACCC accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from both airlines which ensures that if any of the necessary final regulatory approvals are not granted, then customers who have booked the proposed new services will be given the option of a refund or re-accommodation on a suitable alternative flight at no additional charge and would be compensated for any reasonably foreseeable costs.
Virgin Australia has already made provision for the new routes, flagging June 12 as the launch date for its Sydney-Doha service.
The Brisbane-Doha route is set for a June 20 launch and Perth-Doha set for takeoff on June 27.
A potential Darwin route was not as yet identified.
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Originally published as Darwin-Doha flights move closer as regulator green ticks airlines partnership
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