Qatar Airways plans to return to Canberra from December, after the conflict in the Middle East disrupted an already troubled pathway back to the national capital.
Canberra Airport chief executive Stephen Byron on Friday said the airline would resume four weekly services out of Canberra from December 8, nearly a year after an initial brief return.
The airline is then expected to increase to daily services from March 2027.
Qatar Airways first landed in Canberra again in December 2025 after more than five years and several false starts since the COVID-19 pandemic, but this was disrupted again by conflict in the Middle East.
Canberra Airport chief executive officer Stephen Byron called the planned return "a strong vote of confidence in the Canberra market".
"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," Mr Byron said.
It follows Virgin Australia launching direct flights from Canberra to Bali earlier this week, in a move heralded by Chief Minister Andrew Barr as a "gateway" to international students, diplomatic and business travel.
Mr Barr also called Qatar's plans "a welcome step in rebuilding Canberra's international connections".
"This strengthens our ability to attract more international travellers to Canberra, creating opportunities for local tourism and hospitality businesses," the Chief Minister said.
"Improved access makes it easier for visitors to include Canberra in their Australian journey, supporting sustainable growth in our visitor economy."
