Air India, Air New Zealand want to launch direct flights between the two countries by 2028-end | Business News
India and New Zealand could see direct air connectivity within the next three years as Air India and Air New Zealand will explore the introduction of a direct service by the end of 2028 as part of an agreement between the two airlines to boost connectivity between the two countries. Air India and Air New Zealand have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a new codeshare partnership along with exploring direct flights between India and New Zealand, all with the broader objective of boosting connectivity between the two countries.
Currently there is no direct flight service between the two countries and flyers have to transit via airports in Southeast Asia and Australia with an overall travel duration of around 17 hours or more. The two airlines—both members of the Star Alliance—see significant demand potential for travel between India and New Zealand for tourism, trade, and education. New Zealand also has a sizable Indian population and people of Indian origin form the third-largest ethnic group in that country.
“The MoU includes the establishment of a new codeshare partnership on 16 routes between India, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, conferring travellers more choice and convenient access between the two countries. Customers will now be able to travel from the Indian cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai on Air India, and connect at Sydney, Melbourne or Singapore onto Air New Zealand-operated flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown…The MoU will also see Air New Zealand and Air India explore the introduction of a direct service between India and New Zealand by the end of 2028, subject to new aircraft deliveries and approvals from relevant government regulators,” the two airlines said in a joint release after the MoU was inked in Mumbai in the presence of New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
The codeshare flights will be available for booking progressively, subject to due regulatory approvals. Under a codeshare agreement, an airline can market tickets on flights operated by a partner airline, thus giving the option of a wider and more enhanced network and more connections to its flyers, apart from streamlined ticketing, check-in, and baggage services.
“India represents a key growth market for Air New Zealand, and we are excited about the opportunity to enhance connectivity for travellers between our two countries. This codeshare agreement is an important first step, offering more options for customers while we work to understand what a direct service could look like. Today’s event underscores the significance of the India market to New Zealand, not only for tourism but also for strengthening business and education ties. We are committed to working collaboratively to grow the travel market over the coming years, ensuring a strong foundation for a successful direct service by 2028,” Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran said.
Air India’s Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson, a New Zealander himself, said that the codeshare between the two airlines will help them develop traffic on India-New Zealand routes, which might help them “viably operate” a non-stop service between the two countries which the two airlines have “committed to explore together with the respective authorities”.
As part of Air India’s ongoing transformation, the Tata group airline has been expanding its global network using its own growing aircraft fleet as well as through new or expanded codeshare agreements with other airlines, mainly those in the Star Alliance. The MoU with Air New Zealand follows the expansion of Air India’s codeshare partnerships with Lufthansa group, Singapore Airlines, and All Nippon Airways.
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“The MoU also outlines Tourism New Zealand’s commitment to growing inbound tourism from the Indian market. Tourism New Zealand’s research shows that 18 million people in New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai are actively considering traveling to New Zealand, making it a key emerging market. More than 80,000 international travellers arrived from India last year, 23% more than in 2019,” the airlines said in their joint release.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
