Ann: GENERAL: AIA: AIAL Auckland Airport welcomes

• Release Date: 16/01/14 17:43
• Summary: GENERAL: AIA: AIAL Auckland Airport welcomes proposed alliance which will
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					AIA
16/01/2014 15:43
GENERAL

REL: 1543 HRS Auckland International Airport Limited

GENERAL: AIA: AIAL Auckland Airport welcomes proposed alliance which will

Media Release | 16 January 2014

Auckland Airport welcomes proposed alliance which will deliver capacity
growth and new daily A380 service.

- Additional 100,000 seats on Auckland-Singapore route in first year
- Fourth A380 aircraft for Auckland Airport

Auckland Airport has welcomed today's announcement of a proposed alliance
between Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines and the decision by Singapore
Airlines to progressively introduce an A380 daily service to Auckland.
Glenn Wedlock, Auckland Airport's general manager aeronautical commercial,
says, "It is important to celebrate both the additional capacity from the
A380 services and the capacity growth and improved connectivity this alliance
would deliver if it receives regulatory approval. This decision is no doubt
influenced by the strong performance of the South East Asian routes into
Auckland which have seen high passenger loadings of more than 85%, on
average, this past year."
Auckland Airport estimates that the total additional capacity arising from
both the alliance and the use of the A380 on the Singapore-Auckland route to
be at least 100,000 seats in the first year, and significantly more once the
A380 becomes a daily service.  Singapore Airlines' decision to progressively
introduce an A380 aircraft daily service on the route provides at least an
extra 40,000 of those seats in that first year.
"Auckland Airport welcomes the commitment of both Air New Zealand and
Singapore Airlines to grow the Singapore-Auckland route, and we congratulate
Air New Zealand on transforming its pre-existing business relationship into a
strategic partnership with one of the world's largest carriers."
"Today's announcements also strongly support Auckland Airport's 'Faster,
Higher, Stronger' business strategy to grow travel markets and unlock growth
opportunities in travel, trade and tourism for New Zealand."
"Our focus on growing emerging markets such as India and Indonesia, as well
as Australia and the Americas, provides passengers with greater choice, more
convenient flight schedules and better value for money."
"It is also really great to see further evidence of the tourism industry's
shared commitment to deliver on New Zealand's aspirations to grow air
services as outlined in the New Zealand Tourism Industry Association's
'Tourism 2025' strategy. There is a real sense that the industry is focused
on working to deliver growth for the country. Air New Zealand's and
Singapore's announcements are fantastic examples of this aspiration."
Singapore is a critical hub airport, providing New Zealand with access to
South East Asia and key tourism markets such as India and Indonesia.
Passenger movements between New Zealand and Singapore have grown by 10% in
the past 12 months. In the past three years passenger movements between New
Zealand and India have increased by 11% and between New Zealand and Indonesia
they have increased by 39%.
"Today's announcements strengthen Auckland's position as an Australasian hub
airport, and it will provide us with further opportunities for building even
greater connectivity in tourism and trade for New Zealand."
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Simon Lambourne
+64 9 255 9089
+64 27 477 6120
End CA:00246136 For:AIA    Type:GENERAL    Time:2014-01-16 15:43:12