Latest news with #Brisbane-headquartered
West Australian
19-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Virgin Australia opens new flights to Qatar from Brisbane
Aussies will be given the opportunity to fly directly from Brisbane to the sandy plains of the Persian Gulf thanks to a new travel route opened up by Virgin Australia. Starting from Thursday, Virgin is launching flights from Brisbane to Doha's Hamad International Airport in conjunction with Qatar airways. Virgin Australia chief executive Dave Emerson said the new flights 'mark the beginning of a new era' for the company and for international travel to Australia. 'Through our partnership with Qatar Airways, we're not just launching new routes – we're opening the world to millions of Australians, delivering more choice, better value and a seamless global experience,' he said. 'This partnership strengthens Australia's global connectivity while generating jobs, boosting tourism and injecting billions into the national economy.' Hamad International Airport supports 48 airlines, and ushers millions of passengers through its terminals every month. Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the new flights to Hamad would position the Sunshine State as a new gateway between Australia and the rest of the world. 'These new flights mean more tourists enjoying everything Queensland has to offer, giving visitors from all over the world affordable ways to reach our communities, boosting business for Queensland tourism operators,' he said. About 2.65 million passengers are expected to be arriving in Doha from Australia annually by this December, which Virgin says will increase 'competitiveness in the market and (provide) ample choice for Aussie travellers wanting to visit Europe, Africa and the Middle East'. Brisbane Airport chief executive Gert-Jan de Graaff welcomed the new flights. 'This marks the most significant increase in capacity between Queensland and Europe in the past two years, and we're confident these new daily flights will boost tourism, strengthen international ties and support Queensland's exporters,' he said. 'It's fantastic news for the Brisbane-headquartered airline and even better news for travellers and Queensland's tourism-driven industry.' Fares are available now for purchase, with some discounts ranging up to 15 per cent for select travel dates between October 16 and March 31 next year.
Perth Now
19-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Virgin starts flights from Brissy to Qatar
Aussies will be given the opportunity to fly directly from Brisbane to the sandy plains of the Persian Gulf thanks to a new travel route opened up by Virgin Australia. Starting from Thursday, Virgin is launching flights from Brisbane to Doha's Hamad International Airport in conjunction with Qatar airways. Virgin Australia chief executive Dave Emerson said the new flights 'mark the beginning of a new era' for the company and for international travel to Australia. Virgin Australia chief executive Dave Emerson, with cabin crew, says the new route is another milestone for international travel from Australia. Supplied Credit: Supplied 'Through our partnership with Qatar Airways, we're not just launching new routes – we're opening the world to millions of Australians, delivering more choice, better value and a seamless global experience,' he said. 'This partnership strengthens Australia's global connectivity while generating jobs, boosting tourism and injecting billions into the national economy.' Hamad International Airport supports 48 airlines, and ushers millions of passengers through its terminals every month. Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the new flights to Hamad would position the Sunshine State as a new gateway between Australia and the rest of the world. 'These new flights mean more tourists enjoying everything Queensland has to offer, giving visitors from all over the world affordable ways to reach our communities, boosting business for Queensland tourism operators,' he said. Virgin Australia has begun its new partnership with Qatar Airways to offer international travel. Supplied Credit: Supplied About 2.65 million passengers are expected to be arriving in Doha from Australia annually by this December, which Virgin says will increase 'competitiveness in the market and (provide) ample choice for Aussie travellers wanting to visit Europe, Africa and the Middle East'. Brisbane Airport chief executive Gert-Jan de Graaff welcomed the new flights. 'This marks the most significant increase in capacity between Queensland and Europe in the past two years, and we're confident these new daily flights will boost tourism, strengthen international ties and support Queensland's exporters,' he said. 'It's fantastic news for the Brisbane-headquartered airline and even better news for travellers and Queensland's tourism-driven industry.' Fares are available now for purchase, with some discounts ranging up to 15 per cent for select travel dates between October 16 and March 31 next year.
West Australian
28-04-2025
- Business
- West Australian
‘Exacerbated volatile conditions': Flight Centre downgrades full-year profit forecast amid US tariff chaos
Flight Centre has downgraded its full year profit guidance, blaming US President Donald Trump's tariff chaos 'exacerbated the volatile trading conditions'. Shares in the Brisbane-headquartered travel agent fell to a low of $11.94 in early trade on Wednesday after it revised its profit guidance from between $365 million to $405m, to a range of $300m and $335m. Shares have since recovered to be up 0.8 per cent to $12.56 just after 10am. In an update to the Australian Securities Exchange, Flight Centre pointed to 'recent US developments' that have led to lower-than-expected total transaction value growth in core brands, impacting overall margins. 'Second quarter earnings momentum reported at the half year flowed through to early 3Q results before US policy changes began to impact business and consumer confidence and corporate and leisure sales in March,' it said. The company said several actions were being implemented to address 'short-term results volatility, under-performing businesses' like StudentUniverse — a travel booking service for students and young adults — and its Canada leisure division. These included cutting its full-time employees by 5 per cent, predominantly in non-customer-facing areas, a recruitment freeze in other businesses, a 15 to 20 per cent capital expenditure reduction, as well as temporary airline capacity shifts away from US destinations. Flight Centre is currently reviewing StudentUniverse, which is trading below pre-pandemic levels and expected to lose up to $10m in the 2025 financial year. The company was initially expecting a result close to breakeven. 'Stronger overall results are expected in FY26 and beyond as trading conditions stabilise and as the strategies that are already in place gain momentum,' Flight Centre said. Flight Centre at the same time also announced an on-market share buyback of up to $200m, set to begin early next month and be completed within 12 months. 'While FY25 has been a turbulent year, our fundamentals are strong and we are well placed to deliver more rapid growth and enhanced shareholder returns next year and into the future as the trading cycle stabilises,' managing director Graham Turner said. 'Group-wide, we are maintaining cost discipline and implementing strategies to boost productivity and enhance the customer experience. 'The $200m buyback we have just announced underlines both our belief in the strength of our business and our commitment to enhancing shareholder returns.'
Reuters
10-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Australia's Star Entertainment rises on bids for its Brisbane joint venture
Feb 10 (Reuters) - Shares of Australia's Star Entertainment Group ( opens new tab rose on Monday after the embattled casino operator said it received separate offers from its Hong Kong-based investors to acquire a 50% interest in its Destination Brisbane Joint Venture. The Brisbane-headquartered firm's stock was up 9.1% at A$0.12, as of 2317 GMT, and was the top gainer on the broader benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index (.AXJO), opens new tab, which was down 0.6%. The stock, which is currently the top gainer on the benchmark index, has shed 42.1% so far this year. Destination Brisbane Consortium is a joint venture between Star Entertainment and its Hong Kong partners, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium. It operates Queen's Wharf Brisbane which includes, opens new tab luxury hotels and restaurants, among other amenities. Star owns 50% interest, opens new tab in the joint venture while Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium own 25% each. The casino operator said none of the proposals have provided "sufficient value" for the company and that it continues to engage with the both the parties to negotiate the proposals. The announcement came as response to recent media report relating to the proposed offers. Last month, Star said it would divest its Star Sydney Event Centre assets to theater owner and operator Foundation Theatres for A$60 million ($37.5 million) as it undergoes a cash and liquidity crunch. Since 2021, Star has been embroiled in a slew of government probes over possible breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism laws at its Sydney and Queensland casinos. ($1 = 1.5997 Australian dollars)
