Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have signed an alliance that will boost their capacity between the two countries by up to 30 per cent.
The alliance will enable ANZ to fly the Auckland-Singapore route again and SIA to operate an A380 to New Zealand for the first time.
SIA's A380 will be operated daily between Singapore and Auckland, replacing an existing daily service with a B777-300ER.
ANZ, meanwhile, will launch daily services between Auckland and Singapore using newly refitted B777-200ER aircraft, taking over five flights currently operated by SIA and adding two more weekly flights, increasing the frequency to daily.
SIA's daily service between Singapore and Christchurch will continue under the alliance.
Air New Zealand's "NZ" code was last on SIA's network in 2007, while ANZ last flew to Singapore in 2006.
The agreement is subject to regulatory approval, but the carriers estimate that it could increase their existing capacity by up to 30 per cent each year.
If approved, ANZ passengers will be able to access codeshare travel on SIA's network to the UK, Europe, Africa and South-East Asia, as well as on the network of its regional subsidiary airline, Silk Air.
SIA passengers will be allowed to codeshare travel across the ANZ domestic network and to selected international destinations.
ANZ CEO Christopher Luxon said: "Air New Zealand is on a positive growth trajectory with a clear focus on Pacific Rim destinations. An alliance with Singapore Airlines clearly fits our business objectives of working with the right partners in the right markets to deliver seamless customer journeys."
His SIA counterpart, Goh Choon Phong, added: "This is a genuine win-win partnership, enabling Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand to work together to provide more flight frequency and enhanced travel options to our customers."
airnewzealand.co.nz, singaporeair.com
Graham Smith
