This afternoon’s ACCC approval of the proposed V Australia and Delta joint venture on their trans Pacific routes and respective domestic networks was widely expected.

Only US approval is now needed for it to proceed. The joint venture is in its details similar to the existing North Atlantic arrangement covering Delta and the Air France KLM group.

When or if it is implimented the ‘Delta V’ venture will create an all new Boeing 777 operation between Australia and the US, comprising the ultra long range -200LR model flown by Delta and the larger -300ER version flown by Virgin Blue subsidiary V Australia.

The flexibility of an operation that can maximise air freight or passenger loads on a range of routes  and carry viable payloads deeper into the US than San Francisco and Los Angeles could make it a notably potent entity.

The ACCC statement and a pointer to its full determination in this application follows: