Qantas has sold its remaining 12.4 per cent stake in travel agency Helloworld for $33 million.

Since 2008, the national carrier had held a stake in the travel agency when it was spun off as a merger of Qantas Holidays and Jetset Travel. Qantas subsidiary QH Tours sold the shares at $1.71 each on Tuesday night.

Qantas Group CFO, Vanessa Hudson, said now is the “right time” to make an exit since the carrier’s stake in Helloworld had reduced over several years.

“We’ve announced some major investments this year as we focus on what is core to the group going forward, including fleet renewal, growing our network and a successful expansion into the e-commerce holiday booking space with TripADeal.

She said Qantas would maintain a strong relationship with Helloworld as a trade partner and travel agency.