The Falcon Route: Qantas and Emirates Tie Up
Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 5:25PM The airline industry has spawned a multitude of unlikely marriages: from Singapore Airlines working alliance-wise with bitter rival Thai Airways, to British Airways cozying up to arch nemesis American Airlines, marriages, and divorces in the world of flying, are rarely dull.
The wierdness continues with the recent Qantas and Emirates tie up: the struggling Australian flag carrier, once served several European cities from its hubs in Bangkok and Singapore, but now will serve just one: London Heathrow.
In a move that shows how dominant the middle east carriers have become, Qantas will now fly to Dubai and offload passengers there onto Emirates multi-pronged Indian, European and African route networks, saving it from flying against one of the world's leanest airlines.
The deal ends a 17 year parnership with British Airways on the Kangaroo Route, paving the way for the Falcon Route, as Dubai becomes the transit point for Europe bound Qantas passengers.
Shared lounge access will be one of the perks Qantas passengers will enjoy, while the airline itself is estimated to gain $90 million a year in profit from sharing revenue on ticket sales from Australia on Emirates planes.
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