Concerns raised by Qantas at the airline regulator's draft ruling not to extend its codeshare with South African Airways beyond the end of 2014 have failed to impact its final decision.
The International Air Services Commission (IASC) has granted Qantas' application for an allocation of seven services per week on the South Africa route for five years, but ruled its codeshare with SAA can only continue until December 31, 2014.
After that date, there is a “greater prospect” of the carriers competing directly on one or both Sydney and Perth routes, it said.
Qantas had applied for the codeshare to continue until March 2016.
The airline last month rejected IASC findings that growth between Australia and South Africa would lead to new or existing carriers introducing additional flights on the route beyond 2014 and accused the commission of appearing to “almost wilfully misunderstand” the codeshare.
However, Qantas today said it is satisfied with the decision.
"It gives Qantas, and the travelling public, certainty about the capacity and frequency of services between Australia and South Africa," a spokesperson said.
In its determination, the IASC said if Qantas were to apply for a continuation of the codeshare beyond 2014, it would "consider the application in light of developments between now and when the application is received."
The ruling follows a drawn out process which saw Qantas reapply to the IASC following its original decision in February not to extend the codeshare beyond the end of this year.
