(Reuters) – Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd. and Dubai-based Emirates will extend their partnership for five more years until 2028, the two airlines announced Monday. This comes as they battle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted international aviation travel.

This partnership includes an integrated network collaboration, coordinated pricing, sales, and scheduling as well as a benefit sharing model that spans Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

In a joint statement, they stated that the partnership would continue to provide financial benefits for Qantas as well Emirates after both companies recover from COVID-19’s impact on their businesses.

The alliance https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-australia-qantas-shares-idUKBRE88501F20120906 was formed in 2013 as part of Qantas’ efforts to shore up its loss making international business, replacing its existing deal with British Airways. More than 13 million people have traveled on this network since its inception.

Alan Joyce, Qantas Group chief executive officer stated in a statement that “We are well aware the international aviation market is unlikely to recover fully within years so we believe close collaboration among airline partners will prove more crucial than ever.”

Australia’s Competition Watchdog will have to approve the deal again, as it was close to ending in 2023.