Qantas and Emirates have spelt out the consumer benefits of their alliance in a formal submission to the competition regulator with the airlines seeking interim approval to begin stitching the commercial partnership together.

The carriers told the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that the tie-up will lead to improved connectivity, greater choice of travel from Australia to Europe, Middle East and Africa and enhanced benefits for frequent flyers.

It will also spark product innovation, tourism opportunities and create jobs, while rival airlines will be provoked into introducing more competitive fares and product.

‚ÄúThe routes are highly competitive and will continue to remain constrained by aggressively expanding competitors,” the submission said.

Qantas and Emirates also gave ‚Äúformal commitments” over the alliance‚Äôs trans-Tasman operations, insisting it will not reduce capacity. Qantas said it is considering the launch of flights between Adelaide and Auckland and Perth and Auckland.

The submission said the ‚Äúbenefit-sharing” model will also enable Qantas to improve its services into Asia with re-timed flights while Emirates‚Äô ‚Äúlong term growth strategy will be materially enhanced and expedited without Emirates taking any equity stake in Qantas”.