Air New Zealand to sell Virgin Australia stake to fund expansion: Chengdu could be next after Manila

Air New Zealand has been on a long haul growth streak, opening five destinations since 2015. Manila was most recently announced and Chengdu could be next, once again giving Air NZ two destinations in mainland China after exiting Beijing. Chengdu as a destination - or another city - would mean that Air New Zealand would serve more points in Asia than Qantas.

Globally, Air NZ is catching up to Qantas for destinations outside Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Islands. In 2006 Qantas served 21 points outside the region and in 2016 serves 18, although this is an increase from the situations in recent years. Where Qantas has cut, Air New Zealand has grown, increasing from 10 long haul destinations in 2006 to 16 (if Chengdu is included) in 2016. With Air New Zealand due to receive nine 787-9s through 2019, with only some of those due to replace existing aircraft, the airline could serve more points than Qantas. A sale of Air NZ's stake in Virgin Australia could pay the cost of three widebody aircraft and possibly accelerate Air NZ's growth even more. Qantas will remain bigger for number of flights and seats. Qantas offers upwards of five daily flights to Singapore whereas Air NZ offers just one.