Both Air New Zealand and Air China have released details of a proposed alliance on services between the two countries.
Subject to regulatory approval, the alliance will see Air China introducing a daily direct service between Beijing and Auckland, while the Chinese flag carrier will also resume its codeshare service on Air New Zealand’s daily Shanghai – Auckland service, which will be operated exclusively by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from late August.
The proposed alliance would further open up Beijing as a new market to and from New Zealand as well as almost doubling sustainable capacity between China and New Zealand and including greater frequency and network connections.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon says the alliance with Air China would see two home carriers with complementary strengths at each end of the route working together to drive traffic in both directions.
"This proposed alliance brings New Zealand and China closer as our two countries enter the next phase of what is a very strong relationship focused on mutual growth and respect,” he said.
Connecting the Chinese capital with New Zealand will provide tourists and business travellers with great air connectivity for the first time in three years.
“I am proud to be able to work with our long term Star Alliance partner, Air China, to ensure these important links make commercial sense, are sustainable and are in the interests of consumers and the wider economies," added Luxon.
Air China Chief Executive Officer Song Zhiyong said the relationship between the two countries is entering into a new phase, with significant achievements already having been made in economic and political development.
"We are committed to working with our Star Alliance partner Air New Zealand to provide better air connectivity between China and New Zealand in order to meet the growing demand from travellers in both markets," He said.
The proposed alliance with Air New Zealand will allow both flag carriers to build a sustainable air service between Beijing and Auckland: This service, along with Air New Zealand's Shanghai – Auckland service, will provide greater benefits to travellers in both countries in the coming years – an outcome which we will feel very proud of,” added Zhiyong.
Subject to the regulatory approvals, the alliance services could commence as early as December 2015.
Norris Carter, Auckland Airport’s general manager aeronautical commercial, says he welcomes the development of the proposed alliance, which would see Air China introduce a daily direct service between Beijing and Auckland.
“This proposed alliance, which is subject to regulatory approvals, between Air New Zealand and Air China is great news for the New Zealand tourism industry as it will bring substantial capacity growth and improved connectivity with China,” he said.
Auckland Airport has estimated that the introduction of a new daily service between the two cities will contribute and additional $200 million in tourism spend to the New Zealand economy.
“The alliance will immediately increase the number of direct air services we have with China, one of New Zealand’s fastest growing tourism markets. Overall Chinese passenger arrivals increased by 14.1 per cent when comparing the year ending December 2014 to the year ending December 2013," added Mr Carter.
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