Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines alliance on sale from 25-Sep-2014
Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines confirmed (23-Sep-2014) 06-Jan-2015 as the launch date for their alliance, with codeshare services going on sale on both airlines' services between New Zealand and Singapore on 25-Sep-2014. The alliance will see the Star Alliance carriers operating one return service each per day on the Auckland-Singapore route and Singapore Airlines operating a daily return service between Christchurch and Singapore. Under the alliance Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines' goal is to increase their existing capacity between New Zealand and Singapore by up to 30% year round over time. The agreement includes codeshare connectivity to a further 50 destinations on the Singapore Airlines network and on Singapore Airlines' subsidiary SilkAir throughout South East Asia, the UK, Europe and South Africa. Singapore Airlines customers will in turn have access to nearly 40 codeshare destinations in the Air New Zealand network. The agreement also covers FFP reciprocity. Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon said: "Our alliance with Singapore Airlines going on sale is an exciting milestone in our growth strategy. We are looking forward to operating to Singapore for the first time in eight years, with this alliance allowing us to further expand our long haul network and open up a wide range of new codeshare destinations for our customers". Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong says: "This alliance is a clear example of how our two airlines can do more by working together than we could do individually. Through increased frequency between Singapore and New Zealand and new codeshare destinations, it provides numerous benefits to our customers. It is also another example of our commitment to the important Southwest Pacific market." Under the alliance Air New Zealand will operate newly refurbished Boeing 777-200 aircraft on the Auckland-Singapore route and Singapore Airlines will continue to operate retrofitted 777-200ER aircraft on the Christchurch - Singapore route. A380s will be used on the Auckland-Singapore route during the northern winter operating season, reverting to 777-300ERs during northern summer. [more - original PR]