(Reuters) -Qatar Airways intends to acquire a 25% minority stake in carrier Virgin Australia from private equity firm Bain Capital, the parties said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

(Reuters) -Qatar Airways plans to buy a 25% stake in Australia's No. 2 airline Virgin Australia from U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital, the companies said in a joint statement on Tuesday. The purchase of the minority stake for an undisclosed amount will serve as a cornerstone investment ahead of an anticipated return of Virgin Australia into public ownership,

Qatar Airways plans to take a 25% stake in Australia’s Virgin Australia Airlines Pty, deepening ties between the two carriers, including Virgin starting flights to Doha to feed into the Gulf carrier’s international network.