Returning soon: Qatar Airways flight on the Canberra tarmac on 2 December 2025. Photos: Ian Bushnell.
Only a week after dropping a big hint that Qatar Airways would resume its service to Canberra, Canberra Airport has announced just that.
CEO Stephen Byron said that Qatar, which was forced to suspend flights in March due to the war in the Middle East, would resume the service to the national capital on 8 December.
Mr Byron said Qatar Airways would initially operate four services per week from Canberra before increasing to daily services from March 2027.
He said this was a strong vote of confidence in the Canberra market and an important step in rebuilding international capacity for the region.
Last week, at the launch of Virgin Australia’s Bali service, Mr Byron said the Australian Government’s lifting of the prohibition on travelling through the Middle East meant travel insurance could again be obtained when flying Qatar.
“That’s going to be a game changer to help get that service back in the air,” he said.
This week, Mr Byron said the airport was delighted to welcome Qatar Airways back to Canberra, restoring an important international connection for the capital and the wider region.
“Qatar Airways’ return will give Canberrans better global connectivity and more competition, while supporting tourism, trade, business travel, education and visiting friends and relatives across the ACT and surrounding region,” he said.
“Canberra has never been more connected, particularly internationally, with Virgin Australia’s new Bali service launching last week and Fiji Airways continuing to connect the capital with Nadi and beyond.
“We thank Qatar Airways for its confidence in Canberra and its commitment to reconnecting the capital with its global network.”
Canberra Airport boss Stephen Byron: Canberra has never been more connected.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who posted on social media over the weekend that Qatar was returning to Canberra, said it was a welcome step in rebuilding Canberra’s international connections and supporting a steady increase in inbound visitors.
Mr Barr said the resumption would strengthen the ACT’s ability to attract more international travellers to Canberra, creating opportunities for local tourism and hospitality businesses.
“Improved access makes it easier for visitors to include Canberra in their Australian journey, supporting sustainable growth in our visitor economy,” he said.
“This announcement reflects growing confidence in Canberra as a destination and supports our broader efforts to increase international visitation.”
Mr Barr said that alongside other international services, including new connections to Bali and existing services to Fiji, this development would improve overall connectivity and support a more reliable pipeline of visitors to the capital, while increasing competition and choice for travellers.
The December 2026 resumption will come a year after Qatar Airways returned to Canberra, following the COVID-19 pandemic that cut short its service in March 2020.
Qatar operates Boeing 777 aircraft on its Australian route, which can carry about 350 travellers. Its Qsuite Business Class features fully lie-flat beds, sliding privacy doors, and on-demand a la carte dining.
