Qantas and Japan Airlines are planning to work together to better serve customers traveling between Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The joint business is also to support the recovery of the tourism industry when international flights resume.
Qantas is expecting that as its international network gradually restart, the joint business would start around 2021 once their application is approved. An application for authorization to regulators in Australia and New Zealand was sent by the airlines and expect a decision to be made within six months.
Also, the airlines are planning to launch a new route between Australia and Japan. They will announce the details once they have received the approval, borders open, and demand returns.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the joint business would play a vital role in reviving trade links with the world’s third-largest economy and deliver significant benefits for customers traveling between Australia and Japan.
“Around half a million people visited Australia from Japan in 2019. We want to see that tourism resume and grow even further by making it easier for Japanese travellers to visit,” said Mr. Joyce.
“The joint business means we’ll be able to build on our existing relationship with JAL through oneworld to offer more routes, better flight connections, and more benefits to frequent flyers. It also helps us diversify our portfolio of joint businesses amongst Australia’s key trading partners.
“It will be a win for our customers, a win for trade, and a win for the one million people who work in tourism across Australia.”
Japan Airlines President Yuji Akasaka added: “For over 50 years, JAL and Qantas have operated flights between Japan and Australia, demonstrating our mutual commitment to support and strengthen the diplomatic relationship built by the two countries.
“We believe that a joint business with Qantas will make for a quicker recovery between both countries with the ability to expand connectivity within each carrier’s respective domestic network, providing more customer choice and travel growth opportunities.”
