Qantas
and Emirates have welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission's (ACCC) approval of their partnership for a period of five
years.
The partnership will provide customers with a
seamless international and Australian network, frequent flyer benefits
and world-class travel experiences.
Today's decision
follows a six month review process by the ACCC that included several
rounds of public submissions, a pre-decision conference and a
comprehensive analysis of the benefits the partnership will deliver to
customers.
Chief Executive Officer of the Qantas Group
Alan Joyce said the decision was great news for Australian travellers
and local tourism, as well as the airline itself.
"Qantas is an
Australian icon and the future of its international business is much
brighter with this partnership," said Mr Joyce.
"Customers
are already responding very strongly to the joint network that Qantas
and Emirates have built, and to the frequent flyer benefits that extend
across it, with a significant increase in bookings."
Qantas
and Emirates will offer a combined total of 98 flights a week between
Australia and Dubai, with Qantas continuing to operate daily services
from Melbourne and Sydney through to London.
In welcoming
today's announcement, President of Emirates Tim Clark, said: "This is a
truly game-changing partnership that brings together two of the world's
best airlines and offers some of the highest quality travel experiences.
"Dubai
is a leading global hub and through it, our two airlines will connect
Australia to Europe, the UK and Northern Africa more smoothly than ever
before," added Mr Clark.
From Dubai, passengers will be
able to connect to 65 one-stop destinations in Europe, North Africa and
the Middle East. Almost all of these connections to Europe and most to
North Africa are available within 4 hours of landing in Dubai.
As
part of the decision, Qantas and Emirates have committed to maintain at
least their current levels of capacity on the four routes that both
airlines fly between Australia and New Zealand. Subject to approval in
New Zealand, the ability to cooperate on these Trans Tasman routes
creates the potential for the two airlines to market both Australia and
New Zealand to their global networks.
Qantas and Emirates
applied to the ACCC for authorisation of their partnership in September
2012. In December 2012 the ACCC released its draft determination,
indicating its intention to approve the partnership for a period of five
years.
In January 2013, the ACCC approved an application
for interim approval, which enabled the two airlines to coordinate
pricing, schedules and capacity in advance of today's decision. Fares on
the joint network went on sale in mid-January for travel from 31 March
2013, subject to regulatory approval.
Preparations for the
partnership, including Qantas' new operational hub in Dubai, are now
complete. The first flight is scheduled from Sydney to London (via
Dubai) on 31 March 2013.
Emirates: Anna Bathgate (PPR) M : +61 422 025 989 E : anna.bathgate@ppr.com.au Qantas (5515): Andrew McGinnes M: +61 403 930 846 E: qantasmedia@qantas.com.au |
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