Australian flag-carrier Qantas has admitted for the first time it is in talks with a number of rivals about “potential alliances”.

Dubai-based Emirates Airline has been mooted as a possible partner for the struggling carrier, which is seeking to return to profit by overhauling services.

“Qantas today confirmed it is in discussions with a number of airlines about potential alliances,” read a statement from the carrier.

“These airlines include Emirates, among others.

“Strengthening alliance partnerships is one of the four pillars of the Qantas Group’s five-year strategy, announced in August 2011.”

Emirates’ regional rival Etihad Airways – considered the World’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards - was last week given permission to double its shareholding in Qantas’ competitor Virgin Australia to ten per cent.