Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand plan to forge an alliance to boost capacity between the two countries.
If agreed the pact would enable Air New Zealand to fly the Auckland-Singapore route again and SIA to operate the Airbus A380 superjumbo to New Zealand for the first time.
The carriers are seeking approval for the alliance from Singapore’s competition commission and the New Zealand transport minister. Pending approval, flights could commence as early as the end of the year.
The alliance would see Air New Zealand’s ‘NZ’ code return to SIA’s network for the first time since 2007. Air New Zealand last operated to Singapore in 2006.
The A380 would run daily between Singapore and Auckland, progressively replacing an existing SIA daily service with the smaller Boeing 777-300ER.
A380 operations would initially be on a seasonal basis. The B777-300ER would be used during off-peak travel periods.
Air New Zealand would launch daily services between Auckland and Singapore using newly refitted Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, taking over five flights currently operated by SIA and adding two more weekly flights, increasing the frequency to daily.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the carriers would aim to boost their existing capacity between Singapore and New Zealand by up to 30% year round over time.
Singapore Airlines’ daily Singapore-Christchurch service would continue as part of the alliance.
The alliance would enable Air New Zealand passengers to access codeshare travel on the SIA network to the UK, Europe, South East Asia and Africa, as well as on the network of its regional subsidiary SilkAir.
SIA passengers would be able to access codeshare travel across the Air New Zealand domestic network and to selected international destinations.
SIA chief executive Goh Choon Phong said: “This alliance is another example of our commitment to the important Southwest Pacific market, and our commitment to the further enhancement of our network. 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.”
His Air New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon added: “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.”