A joint venture between American Airlines and Qantas was given the final green light on Friday, July 19, Reuters reported.
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted the airlines final approval after a prior effort was rejected in 2016.
The joint business agreement has been tentatively approved, granting antitrust immunity to the airlines covering international service.
US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao made the announcement, noting it was the first completed review of an airline joint venture proposal during the Trump administration.
The US DOT is, however, requiring American and Qantas to perform a self-assessment of the venture’s impact on competition seven years after it takes effect and report their findings to the government.
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