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

[jakeseven7]

Some great news with an AA like integration on the cards and hopefully some new routes as well

—-

Qantas and Japan Airlines to tie-up, kick-start COVID revival​

Qantas has proposed a commercial joint venture with Japan Airlines that will see them co-ordinate schedules and airfares, and share revenue in a deal that will tie-up 70 per cent of the travel market between the two countries.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce said the partnership would open up new routes between Australia and Japan and help tourism traffic - which was booming in both directions before COVID-19 - bounce back faster when international borders reopen.

Qantas said it expected the ACCC to make a decision within six months and that the joint venture could start around July 2021 when it expects international travel will resume.

Qantas eyes Japan Airlines tie-up to kick-start COVID revival

Qantas has proposed a partnership with Japan Airlines that will see them co-ordinate schedules and airfares, and share revenue in a deal that will tie-up 70 per cent of the travel market between the two countries.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Robert K]

I’ve had great JAL flights. Hopefully this means we don’t need to put up with that old 747

 

[oznflfan]

I’ve had great JAL flights. Hopefully this means we don’t need to put up with that old 747

Right now I'd happily fly a 707 to Japan if they let me out.

 

[jakeseven7]

I’ve had great JAL flights. Hopefully this means we don’t need to put up with that old 747

Do JAL still fly 747’s?

 

[Captain Halliday]

Do JAL still fly 747’s?

No.

 

[jakeseven7]

No.

Not sure what @Pu Koh is talking about them?

 

[drron]

No.

Indeed they did.they used to have a really old one which we flew on several times BNE-NRT-BNE.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Right now I'd happily fly a 707 to Japan if they let me out.

Nothing wrong with a 707, I have fond memories of them!

 

[Robert K]

Qantas use to fly the old 747 to Japan.

 

[jakeseven7]

Qantas use to fly the old 747 to Japan.

All QF (passenger) 747s are retired....

 

[jinks485]

July 2021 is very ambitious but I suppose they are hoping a bubble can be set up in time for the Olympics in late July. Would be awesome to see.

 

[trevella]

July 2021 is very ambitious but I suppose they are hoping a bubble can be set up in time for the Olympics in late July. Would be awesome to see.

It would take a huge backdown by the IOC and JOC for the Olympics to be considered compatible with any sort of bubble from a 'full participation' perspective. Which doesn't mean it won't happen...

Japan isn't a realistic bubble candidate for Australia anyway, even if bubbles were being seriously considered.

 

[wandering_fred]

Maybe there will be a restart of PER-NRT?
I must be dreaming not wandering
Fred

 

[AIRwin]

Interesting to read some of the comments:

JAL, Qantas to form joint business

Qantas and Japan Airlines (JAL) have unveiled plans to form a new joint business designed to better serve customers traveling between Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The airlines have submitted an application for authorization to regulators in Australia and New Zealand, with a decision...

japantoday.com

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I hope this gets knocked back!

The key in the article posted by AIRwin is:

• Coordination of pricing, schedules, sales and tourism marketing to develop new and improved travel products, delivering more choice for customers.

JAL currently has extremely competitive premium economy fares to Japan... I've seen as low as $1200 ($2200 all the way to Europe) which include lounge access. Can't see QF agreeing to pricing at those levels.

 

[Mattg]

I hope this gets knocked back!

The key in the article posted by AIRwin is:

• Coordination of pricing, schedules, sales and tourism marketing to develop new and improved travel products, delivering more choice for customers.

JAL currently has extremely competitive premium economy fares to Japan... I've seen as low as $1200 ($2200 all the way to Europe) which include lounge access. Can't see QF agreeing to pricing at those levels.

Do you think there are any potential benefits to customers/frequent flyers which could make up for their ability to coordinate on pricing?

I do wonder why it would be in regulators' interest to approve this, given QF/JL/JQ would then control approx. 70% of the Australia-Japan market. Then again, maybe they'll just rumber stamp it due to covid?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Do you think there are any potential benefits to customers/frequent flyers which could make up for their ability to coordinate on pricing?

I do wonder why it would be in regulators' interest to approve this, given QF/JL/JQ would then control approx. 70% of the Australia-Japan market. Then again, maybe they'll just rumber stamp it due to covid?

I can't think of any benefits that can't be achieved without the need to 'coordinate pricing'!

They can code share now.

They could easily 'improve the customer experience' now. If flights are all on one ticket they have to look after you anyway.

Have we actually had the ability to upgrade across oneworld carriers so far? Likewise with improved earning... they could do that now if they wanted to.

The whole thing is simply bundled up to lead the the tiny 'coordinating price' bit at the end.

let's hope the regulators see right through that.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Do you think there are any potential benefits to customers/frequent flyers which could make up for their ability to coordinate on pricing?

I do wonder why it would be in regulators' interest to approve this, given QF/JL/JQ would then control approx. 70% of the Australia-Japan market. Then again, maybe they'll just rumber stamp it due to covid?

Airline JVs like this almost always never benefit the customer.

Once you remove the fluffy marketing junk in the proposal (ie: improved benefits for frequent flyers), all that remains - and effectively what a JV represents to the average flyer is: Government endorsed/legalised collusion.

Mel_Traveller is spot on.

 

[Mattg]

I can't think of any benefits that can't be achieved without the need to 'coordinate pricing'!

They can code share now.

They could easily 'improve the customer experience' now. If flights are all on one ticket they have to look after you anyway.

Have we actually had the ability to upgrade across oneworld carriers so far? Likewise with improved earning... they could do that now if they wanted to.

The whole thing is simply bundled up to lead the the tiny 'coordinating price' bit at the end.

let's hope the regulators see right through that.

If they call for public consultation/feedback, please make a submission!

 

[tizey]

MEL-HND in JL F would be the dream. Or a MEL-KIX on JL J so I can jawbone direct flights in/out!

Or just MEL-JP(anywhere) in the next 6 months would be fantastic.