The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has approved a five-year alliance between Virgin Australia and HNA Aviation, along with HK Express and Hong Kong Airlines.
In June, the ACCC awarded the draft authorisation to the strategic alliance, marking the first stage of the agreement.
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Since receiving the interim authorisation from the ACCC in March, the airline has introduced services between Australia and Hong Kong.
With the latest approval, Virgin Australia will be able to coordinate its international passenger transport services between Australia and mainland China, which includes codesharing, frequent flyer programme participation, lounge access, route planning, and scheduling.
Virgin Australia Group CEO and managing director John Borghetti said: “HNA Aviation, Hong Kong Airlines and HK Express are very well regarded in the aviation industry and we are excited to work closely with them to give travellers between Australia, Hong Kong and mainland China more choice and better value.
“Travellers are already embracing the benefits offered by the alliance, including the direct Melbourne-Hong Kong services that Virgin Australia launched last month.
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By GlobalData“We look forward to working with our partners to strengthen the important tourism and trade connections between Australia, Hong Kong and mainland China, and bring more travellers to Australia.”
As part of the first stage of the alliance, Virgin Australia has also formed a codeshare partnership with Hong Kong Airlines to offer connectivity to 11 destinations across the airlines' flight networks.
In addition, an interline agreement was signed between Virgin Australia and Hong Kong Airlines to enable guests travelling from Australia to Hong Kong to book onward travel to ten destinations in mainland China.
Image: Virgin Australia and Hong Kong Airlines representatives. Photo: courtesy of Virgin Australia.
