ACCC Draft Decision Supports Expanded Commercial Cooperation Across Key Asia-Pacific Markets
Australia’s competition regulator has moved to approve a broader commercial partnership between Singapore Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA), proposing to authorize a five-year joint venture that would expand cooperation across several major international passenger markets.
The draft determination, issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), would allow the two full-service airlines to coordinate selected commercial activities on routes connecting Japan with Singapore, Australia, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The proposal also includes limited cooperation across additional destinations in Asia and Africa, pending final regulatory approval.
If confirmed, the decision would mark a significant step in strengthening commercial ties between two of the Asia-Pacific region’s leading airlines while maintaining their status as separate carriers operating under their own brands.
Airlines Seek Approval for Targeted Commercial Coordination
Joint Venture Filed Following 2025 Agreement
Singapore Airlines and ANA submitted their application to the ACCC in March 2026, seeking authorization under a joint venture agreement signed in April 2025.
Rather than requesting approval for every element of the agreement, the airlines asked regulators to authorize specific forms of commercial coordination intended to improve network efficiency, increase connectivity, and enhance passenger services.
Under the ACCC’s draft determination, the authorization would remain in effect for five years if ultimately approved.
The regulator has also granted interim authorization, allowing both airlines to hold discussions and prepare operational plans for the partnership. However, the airlines are prohibited from implementing any coordinated commercial activities until the ACCC issues its final decision.
Revenue Sharing and Coordinated Network Planning
Partnership Would Cover Key Passenger Routes
A central feature of the proposed joint venture is the ability for Singapore Airlines and ANA to share revenue on selected passenger routes between Australia and Japan.
The arrangement would include nonstop services operated by ANA as well as one-stop itineraries offered by Singapore Airlines through its Singapore hub, providing travelers with additional routing options between the two countries.
Beyond revenue sharing, the airlines plan to coordinate several commercial functions across approved routes, including route planning, flight scheduling, pricing strategies, sales activities, and marketing initiatives.
By aligning these areas, the carriers aim to improve operational efficiency while offering customers more convenient travel options and better-connected flight schedules throughout their combined networks.
Operational Integration Planned Across Multiple Markets
Customer Experience Among Key Priorities
The proposed cooperation extends beyond commercial operations.
Under the application, Singapore Airlines and ANA also seek approval to coordinate airport operations, customer service procedures, baggage handling policies, and information technology systems across both the approved joint venture markets and designated priority markets.
The airlines intend to standardize operational processes wherever practical in an effort to streamline passenger journeys.
Improved coordination of technology platforms and service policies could reduce transfer complexity for travelers connecting between the two airlines, particularly on international itineraries involving multiple destinations.
While the primary focus remains passenger services linking Japan with Singapore, Australia, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia, the agreement also allows broader commercial cooperation involving selected destinations across Asia and Africa.
However, the airlines are not requesting regulatory approval for every provision contained within their original partnership agreement.
The ACCC emphasized that its interim authorization only permits planning and preparatory discussions. No commercial coordination outlined in the proposal can take effect until the regulator issues a final determination.
Industry Consultation Continues Before Final Decision
Public Feedback Open Until August 7
The ACCC has invited airlines, travel organizations, and other interested stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft determination before reaching its final decision.
Public submissions will remain open until August 7, 2026.
During earlier consultation, the regulator received responses from several industry participants, including the Australian Travel Industry Association and Japan Airlines. Singapore Airlines and ANA also submitted responses addressing issues raised during the consultation process.
Following the close of the consultation period, the ACCC is expected to issue its final determination during August or September 2026.
Growing Trend Toward Airline Partnerships
The proposed authorization reflects an increasing trend among international airlines to pursue regulatory approval for deeper commercial partnerships rather than full corporate mergers.
Such alliances allow carriers to coordinate schedules, pricing, and network planning while remaining legally independent companies operating under separate brands.
If the ACCC confirms its draft determination, Singapore Airlines and ANA would receive a five-year framework enabling them to jointly develop passenger services, expand connectivity across important regional markets, and strengthen competition through improved network coordination across the Asia-Pacific region.
