A cooperative freight operation between Qantas and Emirates is set for take off: ACCC approves interim alliance
January 17, 2013
A cooperative freight operation between Qantas and Emirates is a step closer following the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s interim approval of a new alliance.
The ACCC announced today the interim authorisation of the alliance, which will allow the airlines to cooperate on freight and passenger operations across their networks.
Provisional approval means the airlines can now start preparing for the alliance, proposed to begin in April.
Qantas Group CEO
Alan Joyce says
interim authorisation enables the airlines to coordinate more closely.
“This decision means we can determine pricing, capacity and scheduling with Emirates, in addition to the more logistical aspects of the partnership that we have been working through already,” Joyce says.
But the ACCC may
still review its decision on the interim authorisation.
The
commission issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation to the alliance for five years on December 20,
2012.
It has also sought submissions from the applicants and interested parties in relation to the draft determination.
A
final decision
on the alliance
is expected
in March 2013.