ACCC sees benefit in continued operation of Qantas/British Airways' Joint Services Agreement

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued (04-Feb-2010) a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation of Qantas and British Airways' Joint Services Agreement for a further five years. The JSA allows the parties to coordinate commercial arrangements in providing air transport services, primarily between Australia and Europe. It has been in operation for the past 14 years. The ACCC stated strong competition on most routes operated under the JSA means that cost savings arising from the JSA are likely to be passed on to consumers. [more]

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission: "The ACCC considers the JSA is likely to continue to deliver public benefits in the form of lower fares and broader availability of schedule options for air passengers...The increasing competition from other carriers means the JSA is unlikely to result in any substantial lessening of competition in the relevant markets," Chairman, Graeme Samuel. Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, 04-Feb-2010.