ACCC authorises Qantas and Emirates alliance on interim basis
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has just granted Qantas and Emirates interim authorisation to begin co-ordinating passenger and freight operations across their networks.
ACCC chairman Rod Sims said the move would allow the carriers to start implementing cooperation “because ot the long lead time required to market and sell tickets before the commencement of long-haul services”.
He said that in the draft determination issued just before Christmas the ACCC had formed the preliminary view that the public benefits resulting from the alliance are likely to outweigh any public detriment.
“In most regions this detriment is likely to be mitigated by a number of factors, including continued competition from a number of established airlines”.
The interim approval is subject to the condition that Qantas and Emirates don’t cooperate in relation to services between Australia and New Zealand at this stage.
He said the ACCC may review its decision on interim authorisation at any time “and it should not be taken to be indicative of whether or not final authorisation will be granted”.
More information in today’s Travel Daily.