Qantas, China Eastern plot new joint venture for mid-2015 launch
Qantas and China Eastern will join forces in a new partnership intended to drive "a deeper level of commercial cooperation on flights between Australia and China" according to the airlines.
Slated for launch in mid-2015, subject to approval by Australian and Chinese regulators, the five year agreement is expected to open up new routes between Australia and mainland China, such as from Brisbane and Perth to Shanghai.
The partnership would act as an Asian equivalent of Qantas' alliances with Emirates across Europe, Middle East and North Africa, and the Qantas-American Airlines partnership for the US.
Under the plan, both airlines would operate their Shanghai flights out of Terminal 1 at Shanghai International Airport, a move which Qantas says "will cut transit times by about an hour, open up a better range of onward connections and provide more choice for customers."
Qantas already codeshares flights with China Eastern, which also holds a cornerstone 24.5% stake in the still-grounded Jetstar Hong Kong.
"We’re looking forward to working more closely with China Eastern to bring together our complementary networks and enhance the options for the increasing number of Qantas customers travelling to Shanghai and beyond," said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce.
“Coordination means the opportunity to improve schedules and connection times, and to deliver improved products such as a joint lounge and streamlined check-in facilities in Shanghai."
http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-chin...&utm_medium=flipper&utm_campaign=home-flipper
Qantas and China Eastern will join forces in a new partnership intended to drive "a deeper level of commercial cooperation on flights between Australia and China" according to the airlines.
Slated for launch in mid-2015, subject to approval by Australian and Chinese regulators, the five year agreement is expected to open up new routes between Australia and mainland China, such as from Brisbane and Perth to Shanghai.
The partnership would act as an Asian equivalent of Qantas' alliances with Emirates across Europe, Middle East and North Africa, and the Qantas-American Airlines partnership for the US.
Under the plan, both airlines would operate their Shanghai flights out of Terminal 1 at Shanghai International Airport, a move which Qantas says "will cut transit times by about an hour, open up a better range of onward connections and provide more choice for customers."
Qantas already codeshares flights with China Eastern, which also holds a cornerstone 24.5% stake in the still-grounded Jetstar Hong Kong.
"We’re looking forward to working more closely with China Eastern to bring together our complementary networks and enhance the options for the increasing number of Qantas customers travelling to Shanghai and beyond," said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce.
“Coordination means the opportunity to improve schedules and connection times, and to deliver improved products such as a joint lounge and streamlined check-in facilities in Shanghai."
http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-chin...&utm_medium=flipper&utm_campaign=home-flipper