Turkish Airlines has an application before the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to fly into Melbourne and Sydney.
Qantas hasn't objected to the application, AAP understands, despite previously lobbying the Albanese government to block a request from Qatar Airways for extra services into Australia.
Transport Minister Catherine King rejected Qatar's application saying it was in the national interest, but that didn't stop her from being widely criticised.
The Qatar issue is now the subject of a federal parliamentary inquiry, which was told on Tuesday that Qantas was one of the "most aggressive competitors" in the industry.
The airline would "aggressively respond" to a carrier encroaching on its routes or market share, former Qantas economist Tony Webber told the inquiry.
Sydney University professor Rico Merkert has estimated the cost to the economy as a result of Ms King's decision at more than $1 billion.
Qantas is also facing a potential $250 million fine from the consumer watchdog, which has alleged the airline sold customers tickets on flights it had already cancelled.
The carrier also recently lost a High Court appeal, which found it had illegally sacked almost 1700 workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former Qantas workers who were sacked are pursuing compensation and fines.
Justice Michael Lee made orders in the Federal Court on Wednesday to move the matter toward a resolution.
New Qantas boss Vanessa Hudson will need to attend mediation, along with Transport Workers' Union national secretary Michael Kaine, to discuss the compensation issue.
18°C