Qatar Airways daily to Melbourne

Qatar Airways has won rights to launch daily services to Melbourne under a bilateral air services deal with the Gulf nation, Qatar.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Mark Vaile today announced the successful negotiation of the new arrangements allowing Qatar’s national carrier to operate services to and from Melbourne.

Australian carriers will gain access to Europe through Qatar’s capital Doha under the agreement which Mr Vaile said was an important milestone in the development of Australia’s aviation relations with the Middle East.

He said the Government valued the contribution airlines like Qatar Airways can make to Australia.
Mr Vaile said Qatar’s government had recognised the significance Australia placed on the issue of fair and equitable access for Australian carriers to developing aviation hubs.

“Without the ability to operate services through intermediate hubs such as Doha to long haul destinations in Europe, Australian carriers cannot compete effectively on the world stage,” he said.
Under the revised air services agreement finalised in Doha on March 15, Qatar Airways can launch the daily service to Melbourne and introduce a second daily service to another Australian city from 2008.

Mr Vaile said regional tourist destinations had the opportunity to benefit from the new agreement.

“Australia is an attractive and competitive tourist destination and it will now be up to airports and tourism operators to make the most of the opportunities created by the arrival of Qatar Airways,” he said.

The Government would continue to encourage increased airline operations into Australia but success would depend on the willingness of state governments, airport operators and tourism bodies to support the new business, he said.

He also called on the the Victorian Government to immediately scrap the stamp duty it imposes on international airline insurance contracts.

“The duty not only contravenes Australia’s international obligations but represents an unnecessary cost to international airlines and possible impediment to growth,” he said.