Good news for Canberra-based travellers. Qatar Airways will return to Canberra from 9 December 2026, reconnecting the capital with Doha and the airline’s extensive global network via four weekly flights operated on a Boeing 777.
The service runs as an extension of Qatar’s existing Melbourne route, with a two-and-a-half-hour stopover in Melbourne in both directions. Northbound, QR989 departs Canberra at 12:30pm and arrives into Doha at 10:25pm. The return service, QR988, departs Doha at 8:25am and arrives back into Canberra at 8:30am the following day.
The flights are equipped with Qatar’s Qsuite business class cabin and Starlink Wi-Fi, and the airline expects to increase to daily frequency from late March 2027.
For corporate travellers based in the ACT or surrounding region, the return of Qatar Airways provides a meaningful improvement in connectivity, with access to Doha as a major transit hub for Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Combined with the recent lowering of the Australian Government’s travel advisory for Qatar to Level 3, standard travel insurance is now generally reinstated for travel through Doha, subject to individual policy terms.
Qatar Airways’ Australian presence is now back at full strength, with daily services operating to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Virgin Australia has also recommenced its Sydney and Melbourne to Doha services, with Brisbane and Perth routes returning from 8 and 9 December 2026 respectively.
Speak to your Goldman Travel account manager about booking options on Qatar Airways.
