Emirates Says Qantas Deal Likely In Six Months

Emirates airline’s planned alliance with Australia’s struggling Qantas Airways does not include a revenue-sharing agreement, the chairman of the Dubai-based carrier said on Wednesday.

“The objective is to eventually see Qantas fly through Dubai,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum told reporters, saying talks centered on a code-share arrangement, where airlines share some flights.

“The deal is likely within six months,” he said. “We are not discussing revenue sharing.”

Last week, Qantas confirmed it was talks with Emirates on a potential alliance to help its loss-making international division by giving the carrier access to greater numbers of passengers from Emirates’ hub in the Middle East.

Emirates, which is reaching the limits of a fast-paced expansion plan, has long said that it would not take equity positions in other airlines but was open to code-sharing agreements that could see passengers ferried through Dubai.