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American and Qantas granted tentative approval from US DOT regarding joint venture

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American and Qantas granted tentative approval from US DOT regarding joint venture

American Airlines and Qantas is awaiting a decision from the US Department of Transportation’s regarding the tentative approval of the carriers’ joint business to better serve customers flying between the United States - Australia and New Zealand.

It's said that the opportunity will allow both airlines to launch new routes and flights to new destinations.

These include several new routes within the first two years of the proposed joint business. Qantas expects to announce details of two new routes — Brisbane, Australia (BNE)–Chicago, USA (ORD) and BNE–San Francisco, USA (SFO) — once final approval is received.

The agreement will see an expanded codeshare relationship and optimised schedules on trans-Pacific services, opening up more connections to more destinations and reduced total travel time.

“As was evident in the unprecedented level of public support for this application, the joint business will also create additional jobs at our respective companies and in the industries we serve,” said American’s chairman and CEO Doug Parker. “We thank Secretary Chao and the DOT for their consideration and look forward to final approval in the coming weeks.”

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce added: “Qantas and American submitted a compelling proposal to the DOT that would bring significant benefits to millions of travelers and a boost to tourism.

“For more than 30 years, Qantas and American have connected the US and Australia as partners. This joint business means we’ll be able to deepen our partnership to offer new routes, better flight connections and more frequent flyer benefits.”

American and Qantas will review the Order, with a final decision from the DOT expected in the next few weeks.