Qantas-China Eastern routes proposal hits turbulence with regulator

Coordination of flights between Qantas Airways Ltd and China Eastern Airlines Corp would harm competition on routes between Sydney and Shanghai and should not be allowed, according to Australia's antitrust regulator.

The two airlines have more than 80 percent of the seats on the route. That route accounts for about a quarter of all direct flights between the two nations, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.

Allowing them to coordinate services will result in "significant public detriment", ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.