Air New Zealand and Air India have embarked on a new era of cooperation, having recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving air connectivity between India and New Zealand.
The agreement was established during a formal ceremony in Mumbai, attended by the esteemed Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, alongside other dignitaries.
Under the MoU, the two airlines will form a codeshare partnership across 16 routes, encompassing travel options from India to destinations in Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. This will provide passengers with expanded choices and more straightforward travel options between the two nations.
Passengers can now book flights from major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai via Air India, with connections in Sydney, Melbourne, or Singapore to various New Zealand destinations including Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown.
This agreement is structured to not only enhance customer travel experiences but also elevate the visibility of each country as a prime tourist destination. Furthermore, the airlines have expressed intentions to research the possibility of establishing direct flights between India and New Zealand by late 2028, subject to aircraft availability and regulatory approvals.
Greg Foran, the Chief Executive of Air New Zealand, underscored the importance of the Indian market, signaling it as a significant opportunity due to its burgeoning tourism sector and increasing demand for travel. “India represents a key growth market for Air New Zealand, and we are excited about improving travelers’ connectivity between our two nations,” stated Foran.
Adding to this sentiment, Campbell Wilson of Air India articulated the airline’s focus on expanding its global network, reinforcing commitments to build a stronger partnership with Air New Zealand.
Rene de Monchy, from Tourism New Zealand, also highlighted the positive implications of this agreement for international tourism and the business landscape, demonstrating a collective effort to boost travel and economic collaboration.
