AIR New Zealand and Air China are keen to take their codeshare partnership to the next level with a proposed alliance that will see daily direct flights between Beijing and Auckland, opening up the Chinese capital as a key market for New Zealand.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the proposed service could take off in December.
The aim is to double the capacity between China and New Zealand, adding on to the existing codeshare on Air New Zealand’s daily Shanghai-Auckland service.
Air China CEO, Song Zhiyong, said in a media release that the relationship between China and New Zealand is entering into a new phase following the economic, cultural and political exchanges of recent years.
“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,” said Song.
“The proposed alliance with Air New Zealand allows both flag carriers to build a sustainable air service between Beijing and Auckland and supplement the existing connectivity between China and New Zealand. 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.”
