Virgin Australia has launched daily Melbourne-to-Doha flights, expanding its international network in partnership with Qatar Airways. The service, which began December 1, 2025, is expected to inject AU$190 million annually into Victoria's economy and add 108 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity.
Shenzhen Airlines has launched its first direct flight to Melbourne, marking a significant expansion of Australia's air connectivity with southern China. The new route, operated by Airbus A330 aircraft three times weekly, adds over 90,000 seats annually between Melbourne and China.
Malaysia Airlines has welcomed its ninth Airbus A330neo aircraft, which touched down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on December 21, 2025. The aircraft will be deployed on routes including Bali, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, and Tokyo as the airline works toward operating the youngest widebody fleet into Australasia by Q1 2026.
Finnair has announced plans to launch flights to Melbourne in autumn 2026, marking its first entry into the Australian market. The route connects Helsinki to Melbourne via Bangkok using an Airbus A350 aircraft.