Air New Zealand And Air China Unveil Alliance: Beijing Flights To Resume In December

In yet another show of growing economic ties between New Zealand and China, Air New Zealand and Air China have sewed up an alliance to beef up the frequency of flights between the two countries.

Accordingly, Air China will introduce a daily direct service between Beijing and Auckland, most probably by December 2015, after obtaining regulatory approvals. The Chinese carrier will continue to code share on Air New Zealand's daily Shanghai – Auckland service. The Shanghai service will also get a facelift with the use of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from August.

The chief gain from the alliance will be the addition of Beijing as a new market, besides the doubling of capacity between China and New Zealand. It will also add more frequency and network connections. According to Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon, the alliance with Air China will see home carriers in both countries with complementary strengths at each end working jointly to drive traffic in both directions. "The proposed alliance brings New Zealand and China closer as two countries enter the next phase of a very strong relationship focused on mutual growth and respect. By connecting Chinese capital with New Zealand for the first time in three years, we will provide tourists and business travellers unparalleled air connectivity between and within each home market," claimed Luxon.

Big Boost

The proposed service, according to Auckland Airport estimates, could be worth $200 million in tourism spending in New Zealand, as an addition to Air New Zealand's existing Shanghai-Auckland service. Air New Zealand had pulled out its loss-making bi-weekly Beijing service in 2012 to concentrate on Shanghai.

Hailing the alliance, Air China Chief Executive Officer Song Zhiyong said the alliance marked the relationship between China and New Zealand entering a new phase with many achievements in economic development and cultural exchanges. "We are committed to working with our Star Alliance partner Air New Zealand to provide better air connectivity between China and New Zealand to meet the growing demand from travellers in both markets," said Zhiyong.

Both the flag carriers are aiming to build a sustainable air service between Beijing and Auckland to supplement the existing connectivity between China and New Zealand.

Gain For Tourism

Air New Zealand and Air China have been gearing up for an alliance for some time, to start services between China and New Zealand. The partnership is similar to to Air NZ and Singapore Airlines pact. Australian Business Traveller reports that Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon is optmistic that the alliance would provide tourists and business travellers hassle-free air connectivity.

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