ACCC grants interim approval for Etihad-airberlin to being implementing alliance

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) granted interim authorisation to Etihad Airways and airberlin "to engage in joint pricing, scheduling and marketing of air passenger services between Germany and Australia". The carriers plan to coordingate international services between Australia and Germany via Abu Dhabi. ACCC chairman Rod Sims said "the ACCC has taken into account that granting of interim authorisation for the alliance is unlikely to result in permanent changes to the relevant markets and will provide an opportunity to deliver benefits to the public". ACCC is inviting submissions from interested parties regarding the alliance, with submissions to close on 24-May-2012. ACCC will then decide on its final determination of the agreement.