The ACCC has reauthorised Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa to continue to coordinate on the provision of air passenger services on routes between Singapore Home Markets (in Asia and Oceania) and Lufthansa Home Markets (in Europe). The ACCC has authorised these arrangements since 2016. Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa propose to expand the number of countries which they coordinate operations between by an additional 3 countries in Oceania/Asia and 30 countries in Europe.
The ACCC considers that the coordination is likely to result in public benefits in the form of an enhanced product and service offering, and cost savings and efficiencies. There is unlikely to be detriment to the public, with strong competitors remaining on the routes in question.
Authorisation provides businesses with legal protection for arrangements that may otherwise risk breaching the law but are not harmful to competition and/or are likely to result in overall public benefits.
The ACCC has decided to grant re-authorisation until 4 March 2027.
Further information about the ACCC’s determination is available on the ACCC public register at Singapore Airlines Limited and Deutsche Lufthansa AG.