improve our ability to compete for key segments of the market and add momentum to our margin ambitions," Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said. Virgin said its long-haul flights to Doha will commence from June, subject to final regulatory approvals.

The treasurer said his decision was in line with the advice of the Foreign Investment Review Board, and that the approval is subject to legally enforceable conditions including Australian representation on Virgin’s board, long-haul flight training of Australian pilots and cabin crews in Doha, and protection of its customer data.

Australians will benefit from stronger competition in the aviation sector, the Treasurer has said, as he approved Qatar Airways acquiring a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia. The approval will mean 28 new weekly return services between Doha and Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Australia's competition watchdog on Tuesday backed a planned alliance between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways, saying it would provide air travellers with improved services and products.

(Reuters) - Australia's competition regulator said on Tuesday it was proposing to allow Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways to operate flights between Doha and four Australian capital cities under an integrated alliance for five years.

Australia’s competition watchdog has granted draft approval for the proposed partnership between Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia, including Qatar’s planned wet-leasing of widebodies to Virgin.

Australia’s competition and consumer commission is proposing to grant Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways’ alliance for five years

Affected stakeholders can still send in their concerns about the Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia partnership until March 7.

Qatar Airways Ltd.’s acquisition of a 25% stake in Virgin Australia can proceed subject to enforceable conditions, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said, adding the deal would improve competition in the country’s highly-concentrated aviation sector.