Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines receive regulatory approval to extend joint venture alliance
This allows Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines to continue offering their customers more value, greater options, and access to a wide global network in the coming years.
Over the course of the 10-year partnership, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have grown the seat capacity between New Zealand and Singapore by nearly 50%. This includes the addition of up to three daily services between Auckland and Singapore, and a daily service between Christchurch and Singapore.
Air New Zealand Chief Transformation and Alliances Officer, Mr Mike Williams, says the partnership plays a key role in connecting New Zealand to the world.
"Since the alliance was launched at the beginning of 2015, the two flag carriers have together carried over 4.6 million passengers between New Zealand, Singapore and beyond," says Mr Williams.
"The partnership gives New Zealanders access to the world on Singapore Airlines' vast network beyond the Singapore gateway into destinations in Europe, India and Southeast Asia.
"With the partnership extended for a further five years, together with Singapore Airlines, we can continue to stimulate trade and tourism, and provide customers with greater choice and connectivity."
Following this extension, and subject to regulatory approval, the joint venture partners will operate a total of four daily seasonal services between Auckland and Singapore from 27 October 2024 to 29 March 2025. This will give customers even greater connectivity and choice during the peak holiday season.
Mr Dai Haoyu, Acting Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, Singapore Airlines, says Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have been strong partners for close to a decade.
"The extension of our alliance allows us to continue offering our customers even more options between Singapore and New Zealand, as well as to domestic destinations within New Zealand and around the world.
"This is exemplified by the fourth daily seasonal service between Auckland and Singapore, which will support the growing demand for both business and leisure travel."
With the fourth daily seasonal service between Auckland and Singapore, the carriers will jointly operate 38 return services weekly between New Zealand and Singapore during peak months. This translates to more than 893,000 seats available every year.
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Issued by Air New Zealand Communications.
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About Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand's story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline operates aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. New Zealand's global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. Pre-Covid, the airline flew more than 17 million passengers every year, with 3,400 flights per week. Air New Zealand was named 2024 World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline's laser-focus on safety and won Best Corporate Reputation in New Zealand in 2023 – 9th year in a row.
Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the US, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations.
Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline's efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand's loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with 4.4 million members. It allows members to earn Airpoints Dollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.
About Singapore Airlines
The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group's history dates to 1947 with the maiden flight of Malayan Airways. The airline was later renamed Malaysian Airways and then Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). In 1972, MSA split into Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airline System. Initially operating a modest fleet of 10 aircraft to 22 destinations in 18 countries, SIA has since grown to be a world-class international airline group that is committed to the constant enhancement of the three main pillars of its brand promise: Service Excellence, Product Leadership, and Network Connectivity.
SIA is the world's most awarded airline. In 2024, SIA was again named in Fortune Magazine's list of the 50 most admired companies in the world. SIA is the only Singapore-based brand in the list. In February 2023, SIA was named Airline of the Year in the Air Transport World Airline Industry Awards. This accolade recognised SIA's outstanding performance, innovation, and superior service within the airline industry. In June 2023, SIA was named World's Best Airline in the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards, the fifth time it has won this prestigious accolade. For more information, please visit www.singaporeair.com
About Star Alliance
Air New Zealand is proud to be a member of Star Alliance. The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 18,500 daily flights to 1,321 airports in 193 countries.