ACCC gives final approval to Qantas, American Airlines JV

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has (29-Sep-2011) given final approval for a trans-Pacific alliance between Qantas Airways and American Airlines. "The ACCC does not consider that the joint business agreement [JBA] will have any anti-competitive effects, as Qantas and American Airlines do not currently provide any overlapping direct services on the trans-Pacific routes," chairman Rod Sims said, adding the JBA would benefit passengers. The airlines will coordinate operations on services between Australia/New Zealand and the US and on their respective services which support these trans-Pacific routes. The ACCC has previously authorised an alliance between Virgin Australia and Delta Air Lines on trans-Pacific routes. [more - original PR]