Virgin Australia Launches Melbourne-Doha Service, Expands Network

Virgin Australia has launched its first daily Melbourne-to-Doha service, marking a significant expansion of its international network ahead of the busy Christmas travel period. The route, operational since December 1, 2025, represents a major milestone for the carrier’s long-haul recovery strategy following its return to international flying in June 2025.

The new Melbourne-Doha service brings the total daily operations between Australia and Qatar’s capital to four, with Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways now serving Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth. This expanded network capacity is substantial: annual seats on Australia-Doha routes have grown 53 percent to 2.65 million following these additions.

Economic Impact and Cargo Benefits

The expansion carries significant economic implications beyond passenger travel. Research commissioned by Melbourne Airport indicates the Melbourne-Doha service alone will contribute approximately AU$190 million (US$124 million) in annual economic value to Victoria. Combined with existing services, Virgin Australia’s expanded network is projected to inject more than AU$3 billion annually into the Australian economy.

Critically, the partnership unlocks substantial cargo advantages. Virgin Australia operates Boeing 777 aircraft on the route in partnership with Qatar Airways, providing 108 additional tonnes of weekly cargo capacity. This freight capability addresses a key market need, as Melbourne Airport handles over 40 percent of Australia’s airfreight exports.

“Melbourne Airport handles more than 40 per cent of the nation’s airfreight exports and these additional services will unlock more capacity for local exporters to reach more markets across the globe,” said Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus.

Strategic Positioning

Melbourne now enjoys triple-daily Doha flights, providing unmatched connectivity compared to other Australian cities. This positions the market as a hub for Middle Eastern, European, African, and American connections, offering competitive advantages for both leisure and business travel.

Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson emphasized the competitive positioning: “Together with Qatar Airways, we’re able to offer competitive airfares between Australia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, while creating new economic opportunities that will benefit tourism, trade and Australian jobs.”

The timing proves strategic as the airline prepares for one of its busiest summer periods on record during the Christmas travel season. The expanded capacity and competitive pricing position Virgin Australia to capture significant market share in the lucrative international travel corridor.

For Australian exporters, the increased cargo capacity addresses a long-standing bottleneck in reaching global markets efficiently. The partnership demonstrates how airline alliances can create multi-dimensional benefits beyond traditional passenger services.

Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764597646383-1038