Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines announce alliance

[Jon Harris]

Finally...no suprises here...this is from today's Travel Daily breaking news:

///

Singapore Airlines signs "long-term partnership" with Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia has just announced a new alliance with Singapore Airlines, which will see the carriers cooperate on a range of initiatives.

The new pact will include reciprocal codesharing on each airline's international and domestic flights; reciprocal frequent flyer programs and lounge access; joint sales, marketing and distribution activities; and coordination of schedules between Singapore and Australia and beyond.

The carriers said they would lodge an application for authorisation with the ACCC to enable them to cooperate across a "broad range of commercial functions," with the deal set to allow the airlines to "build a deep and integrated alliance with seamless service offerings to the travelling public".

SQ ceo Goh Choon Phong said the partnership "presents a significant opportunity for Singapore Airlines to drive growth in a manner consistent with our focus on service excellence, product innovation and network connectivity".

And Virgin Australia ceo John Borghetti welcomed the deal, saying "we are delighted to be partnering with one of the most respected and innovative airlines in the world.

"Asia is clearly a critical market for us as we build our international alliance network," he added, with the addition of Singapore Airlines to Virgin's other alliances with Etihad, Air New Zealand and Delta Air Lines meaning the carrier "can now offer truly global flight coverage".

Today the carriers also announced the first stage of the pact, which will see full interlining for Singapore Airlines customers on the Virgin Australia domestic network effective 01 Aug, as well as reciprocal lounge access for Virgin Australia Velocity Gold and SQ KrisFlyer Gold members.

More information in today's Travel Daily.