Emirates, Qantas launch global partnership

Emirates and Qantas have introduced a new global aviation partnership designed to give travellers “a seamless international and Australian network, exclusive frequent flyer benefits and world class travel experiences.”Under the agreement signed by Emirates president Tim Clark and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, Qantas will move its hub for European flights from Singapore to Dubai and enter an extensive commercial relationship with Emirates. The 10-year codesharing partnership is enhanced by integrated network collaboration with co-ordinated pricing, sales and scheduling, as well as a benefits sharing model. Neither airline will take equity in the other. The partnership will see Qantas, along with anchor tenant Emirates, as the only other airline operating at Dubai International’s Terminal 3. The two airlines will jointly offer 98 weekly services between Australia and the global gateway city of Dubai, including four daily A380 flights. With Emirates flying the largest fleet of A380s in the world with 23, combined with Qantas’ 12 A380s – for a total of 35, many onward flights to Europe including London, Paris, Moscow, Amsterdam, Munich and Rome will also be on this popular aircraft. In addition, Qantas will launch daily A380 services from both Sydney and Melbourne to London via Dubai for a combined unprecedented seven daily A380 flights to London Heathrow. Thirty additional European gateways can be seamlessly reached from Australia via Dubai. (http://www.qantasandemirates.com)