CCCS seeks feedback on Qantas and Emirates capacity adjustments

The public can submit feedback on the airlines' proposal on 19 August, 5 p.m.

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) has invited the public to provide feedback on the proposal to release Emirates (EK) and Qantas Airways (QF) from their capacity commitments on the Singapore-Melbourne (SIN-MEL) route, with the latter airline also seeking relief on the Singapore-Brisbane (SIN-BNE) route.

According to CCCS, the airlines requested either to end their 2013 voluntary undertaking to maintain minimum weekly seat capacities on the SIN-BNE and SIN-MEL routes or to revise it by removing capacity commitments, with a commitment to notify CCCS of future operational overlaps between Australia and Singapore and to provide details if new capacity requirements arise.

In 2019, the commission released EK from its capacity commitments on the SIN-BNE route due to its withdrawal from that service.

The airlines argued that their 2013 undertaking is obsolete since Emirates is terminating its SIN-MEL service, the alliance has supported consumer benefits without affecting competition, and the robust competition from Singapore Airlines Group and Turkish Airlines will continue to restrict them.

Should the parties be released from their capacity commitments, CCCS will revoke its conditional clearance decision on the airlines' alliance, removing the immunity previously granted to them.