Close but no Qatar as Federal Government strikes new air deals

The Federal Government has trumpeted new air services deals with Malaysia and Canada while holding out on striking expanded travel with Qatar Airways amid heightened scrutiny of sector competition.

Announcing seven new travel agreements negotiated to “serve Australia’s national interest”, Federal Transport Minister Catherine King revealed Australia had inked “open-skies” passenger arrangements with the Southeast Asian nation and Canada starting from 2026.

New agreements have also been signed with Latvia, Mongolia and Rwanda as well as unlimited cargo services with Hong Kong. And available capacity for airlines to and from Chile will be doubled by 2025.

ASEAN nations have been billed as important tourism and growing trade partners for WA.

But there was no mention of expansions to agreements with Qatar, a destination subject to heightened public intrigue after the Federal Government controversially decided to deny its national airline more flights in and out of Australia last year.

The decision was made despite broad public support to increase routes and cut expensive flight costs for people who wanted to leave Australia after pandemic-triggered travel bans.

Qatar announced it would buy a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia at the start of October.

Qantas’ purported influence on the Government has been a hot-button issue, and was reignited again after a new book alleged Anthony Albanese had received free flight upgrades from the airline when he held the transport portfolio.

The Prime Minister has denied calling former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce to ask for upgrades.

Ms King said Australia was expanding its aviation network to increase competition, and that the Government was “committed” to doing so.

“Whether travelling to these countries or using them as stepping stones to the rest of the world, each of these arrangements represents a stronger connection with our global market – for travel, trade and tourism,” she said.

It takes Australia’s total bilateral air services arrangements in place with other countries or economies to 110.