Virgin Australia and Skywest will form a united front in negotiating with corporate customers as the two carriers continued to deepen their alliance.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) earlier this week gave the all clear for the expanded alliance which Virgin Australia said will bring further competition to the corporate travel market.
Virgin Australia group executive of commercial, Liz Savage, said the joint contracting will provide “integrated travel solutions” tailored for corporate customers.
“This will mean a range of benefits including more competitive pricing, enhanced flight connections and a higher quality overall travel experience,” she said. “We will also be able to extend our Velocity Frequent Flyer program to Skywest’s charter services, meaning joint corporate customers can earn frequent flyer points and status credits on those services and access preferred seating, priority check in and Virgin Australia lounges.”
The alliance was “an important part” of Virgin Australia’s corporate alliance, she added.
In its ruling this week, the ACCC granted interim approval pending comments from interested parties which must be submitted by today.
“It will only affect corporate customers who have the option not to acquire the integrated air services package from Virgin and Skywest if they do not consider there is any benefit to them.” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.
