What Happened
Long-Haul Service Returns Amid Regional Air Travel Recovery
Melbourne Airport has announced the resumption of Virgin Australia’s Qatar Airways-operated long-haul services to Doha, restoring double-daily flights. The route was suspended in February 2026 due to conflict, but with safe air corridors now re-established, airlines are bringing their services back online. Emirates also plans to increase its Melbourne-Dubai flights. According to AeroTime, the return of stable schedules and aircraft capacity is welcome news for travelers and Victorian exporters, with Melbourne Airport’s CEO noting the importance of these services for connecting people and products with global markets.