Alliance Aviation Services says Australian regulator delays Qantas deal review (updated)

Alliance Aviation Services

19/03/2023 23:50

(Updates with details, background)
       March 20 (Reuters) - Australia's Alliance Aviation
Services Ltd  AQZ.AX  said on Monday the country's competition
regulator had delayed a review of the proposed acquisition of
the charter operator by Qantas Airways Ltd  QAN.AX . 
    The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has
delayed its decision until April 20, marking the fourth delay so
far on the carrier's A$610.8 million ($409.97 million) buy of
Alliance Aviation Services.
    In May last year, Qantas said it would buy the remaining 80%
stake in Alliance Aviation Services in an all-stock deal to
expand its footprint in the charter business.
    ACCC said in August that the proposed acquisition is likely
to substantially lessen competition for air transport services
to and from regional and remote areas in Queensland and Western
Australia for corporate customers.
    ACCC and Qantas did not immediately respond to Reuters'
requests for comment. 



($1 = 1.4899 Australian dollars)

 (Reporting by Upasana Singh and Navya Mittal in Bengaluru;
Editing by Tom Hogue and Rashmi Aich)
 ((Upasana.Singh@thomsonreuters.com;))