The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a draft approval for a five year extension of the Joint Services Agreement (JSA) between Qantas and British Airways on services to Europe.
“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,” ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said.
“The increasing competition from other carriers means the JSA is unlikely to result in any substantial lessening of competition in the relevant markets,” he added.
BA welcomed the decision, with regional commercial manager South West Pacific Nicole Backo saying, “It is a positive step forward and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the Australian market.”