Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways cabin crew at the launch of the new service on June 12, 2025. Photo: James Morgan/Getty (supplied)
Virgin Australia has officially launched its first long-haul international service from Sydney, NSW, to Doha, Qatar.
The daily service, in partnership with Qatar Airways, opens more than 170 global destinations to Virgin passengers through the airline’s global network.
The launch was celebrated yesterday (Thursday) at Sydney Airport by Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson with representatives from Qatar Airways and Sydney Airport’s CEO Scott Charlton.
The airport boss praised Virgin Australia’s international ambitions.
“We’re proud to support Virgin Australia’s return to long-haul international flying from Sydney and congratulate Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways,” Charlton says.
“This new daily service enhances connectivity, increases choice for passengers and strengthens competition, all of which benefit travellers and the broader aviation ecosystem.”
There will be up to 70 weekly flights between the two cities.
SMARTGATE KIOSKS
Late last month, the airport announced the installation of eight new Australian Border Force SmartGate kiosks in its international terminal (T1).
The airport says the new automated kiosks reduced wait times by 10 minutes in the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
The airport says processing times have quickened by 12 minutes over the past 18 months as overseas passenger numbers rose 14% in that period.
Another 32 kiosks are due to be installed by early next year, the airport says, which will double their total number.
The new kiosks is part of the airport’s upgrade of T1; upgrades to security screening is under way with seven of 15 new CT scanning lanes operational.
The new CT scanners are 30% more efficient and will allow passengers to keep their laptops, liquids and aerosols in their carry-on bags, the airport says.
The airport is also carrying out a $200m upgrade of its T2 domestic terminal.
