Air New Zealand & Air China Enter into Strategic Alliance

A new strategic agreement between Star Alliance partners will allow expansion for both airlines in key tourism markets.

In the wake of foreshadowing comments by the Star Alliance CEO in Australia, two more carriers in the South Pacific will come together to create a partnership. Australian Business Times reports Air New Zealand and Air China will join together in a strategic alliance, one focused on strengthening both airlines’ networks.

Under the strategic alliance, the two carriers will expand their routes between China and New Zealand. Australian Business Times reports Air China will add a route between Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Auckland Airport (AKL), while Air New Zealand will continue to fly its existing route between AKL and Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG).

“China remains a challenging market for us to operate to,” said Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon. “Working with a strong, well respected home market carrier like Air China would give us a huge opportunity to convert this potential growth, while jointly offering the additional capacity to support it.”

The merge comes after a week when international airline alliances were making news. Earlier this month, Qantas and China Eastern Airlines announced plans to launch a joint venture by Summer 2015. Days before the strategic alliance between Air New Zealand and Air China was announced, the Star Alliance CEO told a conference in Australia that more partnerships, within the context of the “big three” airline alliances, would become the future of air travel.

According to Australian Business Times, China represents the second-largest inbound visitor market to the island nation. This partnership is the third with Asian airlines for Air New Zealand. The Australian flag carrier also maintains partnerships with Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

[Photo: Air New Zealand Facebook]