Major new partnership between Qantas and Emirates.
Qantas has just confirmed details of its long-rumoured new alliance with Emirates, which is being described as a “Global Aviation Partnership”.
The 10-year pact will see Qantas move its hub for European flights to Dubai, and enter an extensive commercial relationship.
Qantas will launch daily A380 services from bothSydney and Melbourne to London via Dubai, with QF the only other airline operating to DXB Terminal 3 and the airport’s new purpose-built A380 concourse.
Frequent flyer program will be aligned, and the deal will also open up QF’s Australian domestic network to Emirates customers.
The carrier will also coordinate on their services between Australia and New Zealand, and services between Australia and South-East Asia.
QF ceo Alan Joyce said the partnership would deliver “unprecedented benefits to Qantas customers and mark a decisive step forward in the Group’s strategy.
“This is the most significant partnership the Qantas Group has ever formed with another airline, moving past the traditional alliance model to a new level,” he said.
Emirate president Tim Clark said the deal would give EK passengers additional connectivity in Australia and the region, the ability to use reciprocal frequent flyer benefits and access to “premium lounges and travel experiences”.
An interim application will be submitted to the ACCC in order to begin commercial planning, and subject to approval it’s anticipated the pact will commence in Apr 2013.
Joyce confirmed that the deal would also see Qantas restructure its Asian network, with increased dedicated capacity to Singapore and retimed flights to both Singapore and Hong Kong to enable more same day connections across Asia.
Qantas will also withdraw from the Singapore-Frankfurt route.
More information in today’s Travel Daily.