Qantas confirms Emirates “discussions”.
Qantas has this afternoon admitted it’s in “discussions” with a number of airlines about potential alliances, which include Dubai-based Emirates “among others.”
“Strengthening alliance partnerships is one of the four pillars of the Qantas Group’s five-year strategy, announced in August 2011,” QF said in a stock exchange announcement a short time ago.
The response follows reports Qantas is close to signing a codeshare agreement with Emirates (TD today).
“At any time Qantas may be in contact with a wide range of companies about potential commercial cooperation,” Qantas said.
Earlier this month, Qatar Airways ceo Akbar Al Bakar revealed the Doha-based carrier was also close to reaching a codeshare deal with QF, however Qantas would not confirm or deny those talks.
“Qantas’ policy is not to comment on the nature or status of these discussions. Should Qantas have a material annoucement to make, it would be disclosed to the market in the normal way at the appropriate time,” the Australian flag-carrier told shareholders.
More details in tomorrow’s Travel Daily.