While it evaluates the airlines’ request for final authorization, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted the alliance between Qantas and Emirates a temporary extension. The current five-year authorization for Qantas and Emirates will finish at the end of March 2023. For routes between Australia and the UK/Europe, New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, Qantas, and Emirates are permitted to coordinate their passenger and cargo operations across their respective networks under the current authorization.
In order to maintain their operational cooperation for an additional five years after the current authorization expires, the airlines have submitted a fresh application for authorization. “The interim authorization commences immediately and allows the parties to continue coordinating their operations while the ACCC considers and evaluates the merits of the substantive application for authorization,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said in a statement.
“The ACCC may review the interim authorization at any time and its interim authorization decision should not be taken to be indicative of whether or not final authorization will be granted,” Brakey added.