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Qantas ‘Disappointed’ At Watchdog Delaying Alliance Aviation Deal

By  |  October 30, 2022

Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd on Friday “expressed disappointment” at the country’s competition regulator delaying its decision on the carrier’s $394 million buy of Alliance Aviation Services.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has delayed the provisional date to announce its final verdict on the deal three times so far, with the decision now expected on March 20, 2023. It began an informal merger review on May 18.

Read more: Qantas To Buy Alliance Airlines Despite Watchdog Warnings

In May, Qantas said it was buying the remaining 80% stake in charter flights operator Alliance Aviation Services for A$610.8 million ($394.03 million).

The regulator, on its website, said the date was pushed back to give the parties more time to submit information. It was not immediately clear what information had been sought.

The ACCC has previously said its preliminary view was that the deal was likely to hamper competition for air transport services to and from some remote parts of Australia for corporate customers.