The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) has reauthorised the alliance between Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia for a further five years.
Etihad says the ruling will enable the airlines to continue their cooperative services on the Australia-Abu Dhabi route and beyond until 30 December 2020.
The carrier’s president and chief executive officer, James Hogan says the announcement was great news for the airlines and in the first five years of the alliance, it has shaken up the competitive landscape by delivering more destinations, and more capacity.
“Over the next five years, our focus will be on new areas of commercial cooperation with Virgin Australia and opportunities for increased public benefit,” Hogan adds.
Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia currently offer codeshare services to 38 international destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, and to 52 destinations in Australia and Asia.
They also cooperate on sales and marketing, purchasing and procurement, and in other areas.
Etihad Airways has a 25.1 per cent stake in Virgin Australia Holdings and holds a seat on the Virgin Australia board.
