The fight for two prized slots at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport between Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia has ended in a tie.
Both Aussie carriers secure one slot each.
Australia’s International Air Services Commission (IASC) made the draft decision to award one each to ensure customer choice.
A final binding decision will be made by IASC next week after the mandatory submission period closes.
Qantas wanted both available slots at Haneda while Virgin had submitted a request for one.
However Virgin had been backed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission which said one slot each would promote competition and keep prices down.
Virgin said it will likely start a daily service from Brisbane to Tokyo Haneda several months ahead of next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.
Haneda slots are extremely lucrative for airlines and more in demand than those at Tokyo Narita which is much further away from the city.
