Qantas joins Japan Airlines in joint venture [rejected by ACCC]

Cairns to Japan flights with QF/JAL announced as part of the proposed JV deal

——

Moves afoot for Cairns as Qantas–Japan Airlines set to return​



MOVES are afoot to bring back Qantas direct flights between Cairns and Japan, with Qantas seeking a joint venture with Japan Airlines (JAL) which would make the service viable.


www.google.com.au

No Cookies | The Cairns Post

No Cookies | The Cairns Post
www.google.com.au www.google.com.au
 
Sounds like this will either be in addition to or replace the JQ flights between CNS and NRT?
 
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jakeseven7 said:
Cairns to Japan flights with QF/JAL announced as part of the proposed JV deal

——

Moves afoot for Cairns as Qantas–Japan Airlines set to return​



MOVES are afoot to bring back Qantas direct flights between Cairns and Japan, with Qantas seeking a joint venture with Japan Airlines (JAL) which would make the service viable.


www.google.com.au

No Cookies | The Cairns Post

No Cookies | The Cairns Post
www.google.com.au www.google.com.au
Click to expand...
It would be great if it eventuated, but I would file this under 'wishful thinking' by the Cairns Post, and also to be filed under 'Things you tease to get ACCC approval to get the JAL/QF JV over the line, but have no intention of actually doing.' I guess if Covid19 continues to stop travel to Hawaii and Bali and if Australia remains relatively Covid free, and the respective governments can get their act together then the Japanese-Australia market could be in for a revival.

I hope its true though - given the choice of booking JQ or JAL I know which one I would be booking.
 
This is the Qantas submission to the ACCC on 18 March, if anyone's interested:


The letter states that Qantas would be looking to introduce 3x weekly A330 Cairns-Tokyo flights which would complement (not replace) the existing Jetstar CNS-NRT and CNS-KIX flights.

The letter also says:

This new Cairns-Tokyo service would be offered as an alternative to the potential introduction of another new Australasia-Japan route already confidentially flagged in the application...
Click to expand...

In other words, the Cairns service would be instead of a potential new service to Japan from (perhaps) AKL, ADL or PER.

The letter goes on to mention that a QF Cairns-Tokyo route could support the growth of Cairns as a mini-hub and strengthen the business case for another new international route from Cairns which isn't specified (I wonder if this refers to the AKL-CNS service just announced?).

There haven't been that many other ACCC submissions about the proposed QF/JL joint venture, but I did notice that the Premier of SA made a submission in support of the JV in the hope it could lead to a new service from Adelaide to Tokyo (wishful thinking, perhaps?).

www.accc.gov.au

Qantas and JAL

On 18 December 2020, Qantas Airways Limited (Qantas) and Japan Airlines Co Ltd (JAL), together the Applicants, applied for authorisation for a Joint Business Agreement in relation to their operations across a range of routes between Australia/New Zealand and Japan.
www.accc.gov.au www.accc.gov.au
 
Last edited:
Mattg said:
This is the Qantas submission to the ACCC on 18 March, if anyone's interested:

The letter states that Qantas would be looking to introduce 3x weekly A330 Cairns-Tokyo flights which would complement (not replace) the existing Jetstar CNS-NRT and CNS-KIX flights.
Click to expand...

Interesting....

With the new CNS/AKL service they could one day hub kiwis through CNS to Japan ;)
 
jakeseven7 said:
Interesting....

With the new CNS/AKL service they could one day hub kiwis through CNS to Japan ;)
Click to expand...

I'm speculating here, but I get the feeling that their original ACCC submission may have involved a new JL Auckland-Tokyo service. Now that QF is starting AKL-CNS flights (announced this week), I wonder if they've changed this to QF doing Cairns-Tokyo. (Hence the discussion also in the letter about Cairns becoming a mini-hub for Qantas international.)
 
Interesting article in the media advising closer QF/JAL request to enable closer fare and marketing co-operation is to be blocked by the ACCC.
 
Decision by ACCC to deny Qantas/Japan Airlines (& Jetstar) JV approval has now been firmed.

Virgin & ANA (All Nippon Airways) had objected in previous submissions

www.smh.com.au

Qantas alliance with Japan Airlines rejected by competition watchdog

The ACCC has rejected an application from Qantas and Japan Airlines to coordinate flights because it would hamper competitors like Virgin Australia.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au
 
Meanwhile, ACCC grants interim authorisation for 3K and GK operations:
www.accc.gov.au

Interim authorisation granted to Jetstar’s Asian brands

The ACCC has granted interim authorisation to Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX:QAN) and Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd for the continued coordination of two Jetstar Asian-based joint ventures and, in certain circumstances between Jetstar Japan and Japan Airlines. At the same time, the ACCC issued a draft...
www.accc.gov.au www.accc.gov.au
 
Last edited:

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