End Qantas-Virgin duopoly, says ACCC

The competition authority has urged the government to reform how Sydney Airport Holdings Pty Ltd (ASX: SYD)’s take-off and landing slots are assigned to make it easier for challenger airlines to enter the market.

Domestic aviation has long been an effective duopoly between Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) and the now-privately owned Virgin Australia.

A third player, Regional Express Holdings Ltd (ASX: REX), has traditionally served rural routes but will start servicing the lucrative Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane triangle from March.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), in a submission to a senate inquiry, called for changes to make the sector more competitive.

One way is to reform how airport slots are…