Virgin Australia boss says more Qatar Airways flights would lower airfares | ABC News

In July, the federal government rejected an application to add 21 extra flights per week to the 28 Qatar Airways currently offers into Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Subscribe: http://ab.co/1svxLVE
Read more here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-29/qantas-virgin-aviation-travel-qatar/102787988

It said it was not in the national interest, but the decision is being criticised as protecting Qantas from competition.

The previous day, Qantas boss Alan Joyce defended the decision before a Senate committee and said allowing an extra 21 flights a week by Qatar Airways would distort the market.

But Virgin Australia boss Jayne Hrdlicka says allowing Qatar Airways to increase the number of flights into Australia would lower airfares and boost tourism.

Meanwhile, the chief executive of Flight Centre told ABC Radio the decision could end up “blowing up on the government”. Graham Turner told The World Today program that the decision was not logical and would cause airfares to stay higher.

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