The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a draft determination that proposes to authorise Qantas and Emirates to extend their joint network agreement until 2028. The deal allows the two airlines, and Jetstar Group carriers, to coordinate passenger and cargo operations on routes between Australia and the UK/Europe, New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. "The ACCC considers that the proposed conduct would likely result in public benefits, including increased connectivity and convenience and greater loyalty program benefits for consumers," ACCC commissioner Anna Brakey says. The commission adds, however, that it is concerned about the impact the alliance may have on the Sydney-Christchurch route, as Air New Zealand is the only independent carrier on the route. Data shows that Emirates operates daily fifth-freedom services on the route using Airbus A330-800s, accounting for just over half of the 6,751 weekly seats available. Qantas flies 11 services per week with Boeing 737s-800s, generating 1,914 seats per week, while Air New Zealand has daily services using A320s and A321s, which accounts for 1,284 seats per week. "We have included a condition in the draft approval, requiring Qantas and Emirates to provide the ACCC with information so we can monitor the competitive dynamics on this route during the authorisation term," adds Brakey. The commission is now taking submissions until 12 July on the draft determination before it makes a binding decision. Qantas and Emirates have operated in the alliance since 2013 and were granted interim authorisation to extend that in March until a final decision is made.

Iraqi Airways has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787 in Baghdad. The US airframer says that the 787-8 widebody is the first of 10 Dreamliners the Middle Eastern carrier has ordered to grow its long-haul network and connect Iraq to more international destinations. Fleet data indicates that the 10 comprise nine 787-8s and one 787-9. Iraqi Airways has also, Boeing notes, ordered a total of six 737 Max 8s and 10 Max 10s. Fleet data indicates that four of the 737-8 narrowbodies are already in service with the carrier. Boeing says Iraqi Airways serves more than 50 destinations from Baghdad. Fleets data shows that, in addition to its Max jets and 787, the airline's 42-strong fleet includes 16 737NGs, six Mitsubishi Aircraft CRJ900s, five A320-family jets, four stored Airbus A220s, two 747s, two 767s, one 777 and one A330. It has one A220 on order.

London Gatwick Airport plans to press ahead with a planning application to bring its emergency northern runway into regular use for departures – a move which could increase passenger numbers by 60%. The UK airport asserts that "this low-impact plan will improve resilience, reduce delays, and provide a significant boost to the regional economy by supporting trade, tourism and new jobs". It estimates that the plan would create around 630 new construction jobs across the region and 1,400 nationally at the peak. Gatwick consulted on plans to bring the northern runway into use back in 2021. It said then that repositioning its centreline by 12m would allow it to be used by departing aircraft while meeting international safety standards and raise passenger capacity to around 75 million by 2038. In 2019, Gatwick had a throughput of 46 million passengers.