Canberra's international travel options have received a significant boost with the return of Qatar Airways to the capital's skies after an absence of more than five years. The inaugural flight touched down at Canberra Airport on Tuesday, December 2, marking a major milestone for the territory's aviation sector.
A Long-Awaited Return to the Capital
The flight, arriving from Doha via Melbourne, landed just before 9am, approximately 20 minutes behind its scheduled arrival time. This service re-establishes Qatar Airways as the second international carrier operating from the ACT's primary airport, providing Canberrans with a crucial new link to the airline's extensive global network of over 170 destinations.
Canberra Airport Group chief executive Stephen Byron acknowledged the journey to secure the airline's return had faced multiple delays, originally slated for late 2022 post-pandemic. However, he expressed strong confidence in the service's future, revealing that forward bookings for the first 12 months are 30 per cent higher compared to when the airline first launched its Canberra service in 2018.
"Canberra as a city is 23 per cent bigger, it's 100,000 people bigger than when Qatar first arrived," Mr Byron said. "As an economy we've grown over the last 15 years at the fastest rate of any economy in Australia ... so we are better placed to be a city that is connected internationally."
Economic and Travel Benefits for the ACT
The resumption of flights is welcomed by local government as a vital shot in the arm for the region's tourism industry and for residents known for their high rate of international travel. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr highlighted the strong outbound demand expected from the Canberra community.
"Canberrans have amongst the highest propensity to travel internationally of any Australians, and so I think there will be really strong outbound support for the service," Mr Barr stated.
Addressing concerns about service longevity following the short-lived Batik Air flights to Bali in 2024, the Chief Minister pointed to a strong regulatory incentive for Qatar Airways. The airline would forfeit its rights to a second daily service out of Melbourne if it ceased Canberra operations, creating a powerful commercial reason to maintain the route.
Passenger Excitement and Global Connectivity
Michael Thomson, Canberra Airport's head of aviation, was onboard the historic flight from Melbourne to Canberra. He reported a palpable sense of excitement among passengers, many of whom were weary travellers connecting from Doha.
"People were really excited to be on the first flight, there was a little cheer when we landed," Mr Thomson said. "It's one of those things that's just going to grow and grow as we get more awareness and people realise that they've got this opportunity to go to the rest of the world or to come into Canberra."
The airline has been promoting its return with competitive fares, including promotional return flights from Canberra to European destinations like Barcelona for approximately $1800, with stops in Melbourne and Doha. The service also offers added convenience for Australian frequent flyers, as it accepts membership points from both Qantas and Virgin Australia loyalty programs.
The return of Qatar Airways represents more than just another flight schedule; it is a statement about Canberra's growing stature as an internationally connected capital city, ready to welcome the world and send its residents across the globe with greater ease.
