VIRGIN BLUE LOOKS TO GROW ACROSS ASIA THROUGH ALLIANCES AS ACCC SAYS YES TO ETIHAD DEAL

The alliance between Virgin Blue and Etihad has received the blessing of the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission).‘‘The ACCC considers that the alliance is likely to promote competition and result in new international services, in particular between Australia and Abu Dhabi with onward connections to Europe,’’ said ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel. The five-year alliance will run through to 2016, and Virgin Blue’s international carrier V Australia will begin direct Sydney-Abu Dhabi services on February 24th significantly boosting the reach of the V Australia brand as a competitor to Qantas. Virgin Blue and Etihad will cooperate on joint ticket pricing