IAG and Qantas to Terminate Joint Business

International Airlines Group’s wholly owned subsidiary British Airways and Qantas have agreed to terminate their joint business from 31 March 2013.

The move follows Qantas’ announcement that it is entering a new global partnership with Emirates.

The joint business was established in 1995 to enable close commercial cooperation on British Airways and Qantas’ services between the UK and Australia.

The airlines will continue to work together as part of the oneworld alliance and through bilateral codeshares.

“We’re ending the joint business on amicable terms and support Qantas’ decision to work with Emirates. The world has changed since 1995 when the joint business started. This is a small part of our overall network and this move fits in with changes in our global strategy. Asia has become a key market focus for IAG and we’re talking to a number of airlines about alternative options for us,” said IAG chief executive Willie Walsh. “Qantas has made it clear that its international performance has been weak and the termination of the joint business won’t have any negative impact on IAG’s financial targets. The good relationship that we have with Qantas CEO Alan Joyce and his team will continue through our joint membership of oneworld.”

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said, “Over the past 17 years the joint business with British Airways has been central to the Qantas network. However, global operating conditions have changed and partnership with Emirates is the right strategy for Qantas. I’d like to thank IAG CEO Willie Walsh and British Airways CEO Keith Williams for their support of the joint business and I look forward to a continued strong relationship in future.”

British Airways said it will contact any customers due to travel after 31 March 2013, whose bookings may be affected by changes to the joint business, to discuss alternative travel options.

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