Three years after an initial rejection, in mid-July the U.S. Department of Transportation approved a joint venture between American Airlines and Qantas Airways.

This joint venture covers the United States, Australia and New Zealand, and allows the two airlines to work with each other in terms of planning schedules, setting airfare prices and collaborating between frequent-flyer programs. Airline officials also hope the joint venture will create more jobs not only for the airlines, but for the travel industry as a whole.

During the first two years of this partnership, American and Qantas — both members of oneworld — plan to launch three new routes and increase capacity on already-established routes.

In 2016, an application was rejected by the DOT after a 17-month review, citing the partnership would “reduce competition and consumer choice.”