Qantas presses ahead with post-Emirates European & Asian restructure as competitors show no leniency

Qantas has commenced selling of its restructured European and Asian network, adjusted following its landmark partnership deal with Emirates. But with Qantas and Emirates withdrawing their application to Australian authorities for interim approval to commence planning, Qantas has made this extensive restructure on its own and without Emirates coordination. Officially Qantas will keep this schedule irrespective of the outcome of its partnership application with Emirates, but the changes are deeply tied to assuming the partnership will be authorised, without which Qantas will need to make further adjustments.

The withdrawal of request for interim authorisation follows officially lodged criticism from competitors that interim authorisation was too ambitious a request, with Qantas' claims for authorisation either unnecessary or anti-competitive. One of the largest partnerships in history will have to prove its weight.