12 Sep 2012

Qantas international operations in terminal decline

5:35 am on 12 September 2012

Qantas Airways says its international operations are in terminal decline and it is unable to operate alone.

On Thursday the airline announced it was proposing a 10-year partnership with Emirates of Dubai.

Qantas has told the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission the proposed partnership is urgently needed.

The airline's international arm lost $A450 million in the June year and $A216 million the year before.

Under the deal, Qantas will shift its hub for European flights from Singapore to Dubai and coordinate their flight schedules and prices, including those between New Zealand and Australia.