The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has just announced the granting of interim approval for the proposed corporate alliance between WA-based carrier Skywest Airlines and Virgin Australia.
The carriers sought authorisation for the alliance in early Dec, proposing to offer bundled air passenger transport services to corporate customers seeking an integrated suite of charter, domestic and international services.
"The Corporate Alliance will be able to offer corporate customers and their employees value-added products and services such as a comprehensive frequent flyer program (including earn and burn entitlements across a broad network of travel options), frequent flyer status credits (including priority check-in and booking services) as well as access to airport lounges," the application said.
The pact will allow the carriers to jointly provide a competitive integrated travel offer to customers "comparable to that of Qantas, which is the only airline currently capable of meeting the full suite of customer requirements," the document added.
The interim authorisation granted today allows the carriers to begin to market the corporate alliance immediately, with ACCC chairman Rod Sims saying it was reasonable to give Virgin Australia and Skywest "the opportunity to deliver the claimed public benefits".
Interested stakeholders have been invited to make submissions on the alliance, with a closing date of this Fri 27 Jan.
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