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Australian Antitrust Regulator Delays Qantas Deal Review

By  |  March 19, 2023

On Monday, Alliance Aviation Services announced that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) had postponed its review of a proposed acquisition by Qantas Airways. This possible deal would see the charter operator become part of Australia’s largest commercial airline. The ACCC decision may affect the future of Alliance Aviation Services.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has again pushed its decision date back; this time to April 20, in relation to the A$610.8 million bid from Qantas Airways Limited on Alliance Aviation Services. This is the fourth postponement of this particular decision.

Read more: Qantas ‘Disappointed’ At Watchdog Delaying Alliance Aviation Deal

In May last year, Qantas said it would buy the remaining 80% stake in Alliance Aviation Services in an all-stock deal to expand its footprint in the charter business.

ACCC said in August that the proposed acquisition is likely to substantially lessen competition for air transport services to and from regional and remote areas in Queensland and Western Australia for corporate customers.