Qatar Airways Cargo has announced a major expansion of its airfreight capacity to and from Australia through a new strategic partnership with Virgin Australia, in a move set to strengthen the country’s position in global trade and boost export opportunities for Australian businesses.
The collaboration will see Virgin Australia operate daily Boeing 777 flights connecting Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and later Melbourne with Qatar Airways’ Doha hub, starting from June 2025. The new widebody services will add more than 180 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity across three of Australia’s busiest export gateways — Sydney, Brisbane and Perth — with Melbourne to follow in December.
With this expansion, Qatar Airways Cargo will increase its total weekly cargo uplift capacity between Australia and Qatar to over 400 tonnes each way, up from its current offering of 240 tonnes. The added capacity will benefit exporters of perishables, pharmaceuticals and other time-sensitive goods.
“Australia plays a pivotal role in global trade, and it is essential for us to empower its exporters with the best possible connectivity,” said Mark Drusch, chief officer cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo. “This partnership with Virgin Australia significantly increases capacity available to Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne — a major improvement in global cargo capacity for exporters.”
He added, “The addition of Virgin Australia’s Boeing 777s more than doubles the airfreight capacity on key routes. It is a bold move, reinforcing Qatar Airways Cargo’s leadership in connecting Australia’s economy to the world’s most dynamic markets.”
Virgin Australia’s head of cargo, Dimitris Politis, said the partnership marks a new chapter for Australian freight. “We’re thrilled to partner with Qatar Airways Cargo, combining our strong domestic network with their global reach. This collaboration delivers significant new capacity for Australian exporters and strengthens our ability to connect Australian businesses with international markets.”
Qatar currently ranks among Australia’s top trading partners in the Middle East and North Africa region, with two-way trade exceeding AUD 3.4 billion annually. The expanded airfreight operations will further facilitate this trade by enhancing the speed and reliability of exports, particularly in high-value sectors like food and pharmaceuticals.
Qatar Airways Cargo already carries approximately one in every 14 air cargo shipments from Australia, with all freight passing through its high-tech hub in Doha before reaching destinations across the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.
This move also reflects ongoing market demand for increased cargo connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region and underlines Qatar Airways Cargo’s continued investment in the Australian market. 