The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) approved an affiliation agreement between Emirates and Flydubai and a commercial alliance between Etihad and Air Berlin.

The ACCC had previously granted interim authorisation for both alliances in May of this year.

The fully-approved agreements are immune from court action, as the ACCC concluded that the public benefits of the agreements outweigh any public detriment that may be caused.

“The ACCC considers that the Affiliation Agreement will result in public benefits by enabling Emirates and Flydubai to offer improved products and services to customers,” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

“The ACCC does not consider that the Commercial Alliance [between Etihad and Air Berlin] will have any significant anti-competitive effects. Etihad and Air Berlin do not currently operate overlapping routes to or from Australia.”

The ACCC has received no submissions or opposing responses in reference to either agreement.

Authorisation has also been granted to Star Alliance’s for its Corporate Plus, Conventions Plus and Meetings Plus programs for a period of eight years.

“The ACCC concluded that the programs are likely to result in public benefits including an enhanced service offering to corporate customers and cost savings and other efficiencies obtained by Star Alliance members,” Mr Sims said.

No opposing responses to the draft determination were received.