ACCC gives go signal for SIA and Virgin tie-up

Customers will be able to earn and redeem frequent-flyer miles on SIA and Virgin Australia flights by the end of the year.

Singapore Airlines welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s approval of its proposed alliance with Virgin Australia.

The ACCC’s determination represents the final regulatory approval needed for SIA and Virgin Australia to proceed with their wide-ranging alliance.

Under the alliance, SIA and Virgin Australia will codeshare on each other’s international and domestic flights, offer reciprocal frequent-flyer programme benefits and lounge access, co-ordinate schedules between Singapore and Australia and beyond to provide seamless connections, and engage in joint sales, marketing and distribution activities.

Draft approval was awarded by the ACCC on 13 October. On 20 October the Competition Commission of Singapore announced its approval of the alliance.