Qantas and China Eastern sign five-year JV for greater cooperation on Australia-China services

Qantas Airways and China Eastern Airlines announced (17-Nov-2014) a new JV marking the start of a deeper level of commercial cooperation on services between Australia and China. The five-year agreement is designed to complement the Qantas-Emirates partnership for Europe, Middle East and North Africa and the Qantas-American Airlines partnership for the US. Qantas and China Eastern said they ultimately hope to open new services between the two countries, flagging Brisbane-Shanghai and Perth-Shanghai as possible candidates. Qantas will also move from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 at Shanghai Pudong Airport to reduce transit times by about an hour and provide better onward connections for customers. Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said: "Coordination means the opportunity to improve schedules and connection times, and to deliver improved products such as a joint lounge and streamlined check-in facilities in Shanghai. It will be a win for our customers and, by making it easier for Chinese travellers to visit Australia, a win for trade and tourism." China Eastern chairman Liu Shaoyong added: "Australia is one of the most important tourist destinations and trade markets for China, and Qantas is the key partner for China Eastern in Australia... It's important for us to strengthen the cooperation with Qantas to provide better, more convenient travel products for passengers between the two countries." The airlines will now submit an application for authorisation to Australian and Chinese regulators. Subject to regulatory approval, it is anticipated that the joint agreement will commence in mid-2015. [more - original PR]