FED:Qantas get ACCC nod for American Air deal

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2011
FED:Qantas get ACCC nod for American Air deal

SYDNEY, Aug 22 AAP - The competition regulator has given Qantas Airways Ltd a provisional
go-ahead for its proposed joint business agreement with American Airlines.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued the draft decision
on Monday proposing to grant authorisation for the joint business agreement (JBA) between
Qantas and American Airlines.

Under the JBA, the airlines will co-ordinate operations on services between Australia/New
Zealand and the United States (the trans-Pacific routes), and on their respective services
which support the trans-Pacific routes.

"The ACCC considers that the JBA is likely to result in new and improved products and
services, including improved schedules and connectivity," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said
in the statement.

"The ACCC does not consider that the JBA will have any anti-competitive effects, as
Qantas and American Airlines do not currently provide any overlapping direct services
between Australia and the United States."

The ACCC said it had previously authorised an alliance between Virgin Australia and
Delta Airlines on routes between Australia and the US.

The ACCC will now seek further submissions from the applicants and interested parties.

AAP dlm/cdh

KEYWORD: QANTAS

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.