Our Scans · Doha · Weekly Summary

• Virgin Australia will begin flights to Doha for the first time this month, marking an expansion of its international footprint through a strategic partnership with Qatar Airways, which agreed to buy a 25% stake in the Australian carrier last September. Aviation Week Network
• The 11th Islamic Finance Conference in Doha promises to be a landmark event, providing a crucial platform for exploring the transformative potential of blockchain and AI within the Islamic finance sector. The Halal Times
• Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging ceasefire agreement being finalized by negotiators in Doha, two Israeli officials said, the first positive sign in months that a truce in the Israel-Hamas war may be in sight. CNN
• The partnership between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways has the potential to revolutionize air travel between Australia and Doha, with far-reaching effects on the global tourism industry. Travel And Tour World
• If the final approval is granted, the partnership between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways will significantly enhance connectivity between Australia and Doha, providing travelers with more options and flexibility for international travel. Travel And Tour World
• Qatar Airways launched its first flight with Starlink Wi-Fi from Doha to London and plans to expand it across its fleet by 2025.Starlink has become a popular choice for airlines seeking faster and consistent in-flight Wi-Fi to attract premium travelers. Skift
• Direct flights between Dar es Salaam and Jeddah will cut down the travelling time to about 4.40 hours from the previous 10 hours spent by travelers flying between Saudi Arabia and Tanzania through Addis Ababa and Doha. eTurboNews | Travel Industry News
• The Islamic Finance Conference in Doha will dedicate significant attention to the development of Shariah-compliant value-based investment platforms within the context of blockchain and AI integration. The Halal Times
• The arrangement, known as a 'wet lease', is for 5 years and will double the frequency of flights between Doha and major Australian airports. ABC News
• Indirect negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States have taken place in Doha in recent weeks, rekindling hope for a ceasefire and hostage release agreement that has so far proven elusive. The Verardo Group's Substack
• London Heathrow - Doha (DOH): Flights will be reduced from 14 to 12 per week, reflecting an adjustment in demand for services to Qatar's capital. Aviation a2z
• Although Qatar is one of the hottest countries in the world, it suffers from chronic flooding around Doha and faces increasing climate-related risks. Mott MacDonald
• Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement being finalized in Doha while Israel would free dozens of Palestinian prisoners and partially withdraw some of its forces from Gaza. Just Security
• Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, have taken place in Doha in recent days, rekindling hope for a truce deal that has proven elusive. IOL
• Qatar Energy has announced that it will build one of the world's largest solar power plants in Doha, with a capacity to produce 4,000 MW of energy. Gulf Times
• The overwhelming support for Palestine displayed by Arab crowds in Doha presents both a setback and a reality check for the US Department of State, which hoped that direct flights between Qatar and Israel would bolster people-to-people ties and economic relations. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
• Given what's happened in Gaza over the last year, any political leader based in Doha is going to have a hard time controlling the fighters in Gaza. PBS.org
• As part of the deal with Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia plans to launch flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to Doha with leased aircraft by mid-2025, subject to approval from Australia's competition regulator. ABC News
• The US officials will meet the Taliban delegation in Doha and discuss humanitarian support for Afghanistan, security issues, women's rights, the Afghan economy's stabilisation and efforts to counter narcotics production and trafficking. Middle East Monitor
• The Taliban committed in the Doha agreement to prevent any groups or individuals, including al-Qaeda, from using [Afghanistan's] soil for recruiting, training and fundraising to threaten the security of the United States and its allies. Crisis Group
• Hamas's absence does not mean progress will not be made, as it maintains open communication channels with Egypt, and Hamas has its chief negotiator based in Doha. CBC
• Diplomatic leaders gathered in Doha, Qatar on Thursday for another round of intense negotiations to secure a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, working under the threat of a wider war that would further devastate the Middle East. CBC
• In Doha, Qatar, an Israeli delegation to the ceasefire talks is expected to arrive, even though Hamas has stated it will not participate in the round of talks. i24 NEWS

Last updated: 26 June 2025