A PYMNTS Company

ACCC issues draft decision to authorize Virgin Australia-Skywest alliance

By  |  March 22, 2012

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued a draft decision to authorize a corporate alliance between Virgin Australia and Skywest airlines. Authorization is granted when the ACCC determines that the benefits to consumer welfare outweighs public harm; it provides immunity from court actions that would otherwise be brought under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    Virgin Australia operates mostly international services and Skywest operates intra-state and charter services in Western Australia. ACCC chairman Rod Sims noted that the alliance’s ability to “offer an extensive integrated air service package to corporate customers” would enhance competition with Qantas. The package would have an integrated suite of charter, domestic and international services.

    Full content: ACCC Press Release

     

    Related content: Carve-Outs Under Airline Antitrust Immunity: In the Public Interest? (Jan Brueckner, University of California, Irvine & Stef Proost, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)