Qatar Airways is reported to be in talks to acquire 20% of Virgin Australia from its owners, Boston-based Bain Capital.
The Australian Financial Review also hinted that the owners have had a
quiet chat with Singapore Airlines about acquiring a stake.
Singapore Airlines previously had a 19.9% stake in Virgin Australia.
Bain bought the Australian carrier in 2020 in a $3.5 billion equity and debt deal.
A partial sale to Qatar Airways would likely help the Qatari airline
to find a way around the Australian government’s recent controversial
refusal to grant QR extra flights into Australia’s major capital cities.
An investment by Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines would require Australian government approval.
Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines established their alliance
partnership in 2011, with the agreement extended for a further five
years in 2022.