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- Release Date: 16/01/14 15:37
- Summary: GENERAL: AIR: Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines form alliance
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AIR
16/01/2014 13:37
GENERAL
REL: 1337 HRS Air New Zealand Limited (NS)
GENERAL: AIR: Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines form alliance
Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have agreed to form an alliance
enabling Air New Zealand to fly the Auckland-Singapore route again and
Singapore Airlines to operate the Airbus A380 to New Zealand for the first
time.
The A380 would be operated daily by Singapore Airlines between Singapore and
Auckland, progressively replacing an existing daily service with the smaller
Boeing 777-300ER. Air New Zealand would launch daily services between
Auckland and Singapore using newly refitted Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, taking
over five flights currently operated by Singapore Airlines and adding two
more weekly flights, increasing the frequency to daily.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the carriers would aim to boost their
existing capacity between New Zealand and Singapore by up to 30% year round
over time.
Singapore Airlines' daily Singapore-Christchurch service would continue as
part of the alliance.
The proposed alliance would enable Air New Zealand passengers to access
codeshare travel on the Singapore Airlines network to South East Asia, the
United Kingdom and Europe and Africa as well as on the network of its
regional subsidiary airline, SilkAir. Singapore Airlines' customers would be
able to access codeshare travel across the Air New Zealand domestic network
and to selected international destinations.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon says, "Air New
Zealand is on a positive growth trajectory with a clear focus on Pacific Rim
destinations. An alliance with Singapore Airlines clearly fits our business
objectives of working with the right partners in the right markets to deliver
seamless customer journeys."
Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer Goh Choon Phong added, "This
alliance is another example of our commitment to the important Southwest
Pacific market, and our commitment to the further enhancement of our network.
This is a genuine win-win partnership, enabling Singapore Airlines and Air
New Zealand to work together to provide more flight frequency and enhanced
travel options to our customers."
The alliance would see Air New Zealand's 'NZ' code return to Singapore
Airlines' network for the first time since 2007. Air New Zealand last
operated to Singapore in 2006.
The parties are seeking approval for the alliance from the Competition
Commission of Singapore and the New Zealand Minister of Transport. Pending
approval, flights could commence as early as December 2014.
ENDS
End CA:00246124 For:AIR Type:GENERAL Time:2014-01-16 13:37:22
