ABC News
High Court rejects Qantas-Air NZ alliance
Qantas and Air New Zealand have suffered another blow to their plans to form an alliance with the High Court in New Zealand rejecting the deal.
Competition watchdogs on both sides of the Tasman initially refused Qantas permission to buy a 22.5 per cent stake in Air New Zealand.
Now an appeal to New Zealand's High Court has also failed.
The court said the detriments of the deal significantly outweighed the public benefit.
The airlines still have an appeal under way in Australia.
They could also launch another appeal in New Zealand in the country's highest court, the Supreme Court.
Air New Zealand has described the High Court decision as disappointing, and has not ruled out forming another type of alliance with Qantas.
Qantas is expected to respond to the decision this afternoon.
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