Qantas has proposed a commercial joint venture with Japan Airlines that will see them co-ordinate schedules and airfares, and share revenue in a deal that will tie up 70% of the travel market between the two countries. Qantas boss Alan Joyce said the partnership would open up new routes between Australia and Japan and help tourism traffic – which was booming in both directions before COVID-19 – bounce back faster when international borders reopen. However, the deal unveiled on Wednesday will face close scrutiny from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, given there was only one other airline group flying directly between the two countries. Qantas and its budget arm Jetstar had an almost 60% share of the Australia-Japan market in 2019, while JAL had 10%. ANA had an 8% share. Virgin Australia was set to start flights to Tokyo's Haneda Airport in March this year and had a codeshare with ANA but the pandemic put those plans on ice. Virgin has since shut down its long-haul international operations after going into administration in April and does not expect to restart them for another 18 months to two years.<br/>