(TAN): Air New Zealand and Air China have extended their strategic alliance partnership on services between New Zealand and China for another five years. Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran made the announcement at the China Business Summit in Auckland this week.
“China is an incredibly important market for Aotearoa, and for Air New Zealand. The renewal of our strategic cooperation with Air China will be a vital boost for our tourism industry as it recovers from the severe impact of Covid-19. Our alliance with Air China has delivered, and will continue to deliver, real benefit to New Zealand – including greater choice, extra seats and more flights into New Zealand. It’s a great example of how we can build sustainable air connectivity to and from New Zealand,” Foran said.
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Foran told the summit that although Covid-19 had affected passenger travel, the trade and business cooperation between China and New Zealand has remained relatively stable. “Our Shanghai route has the highest proportion of cargo on any network we fly. Last year we carried 2,600 tonnes of exports to Shanghai – up 23% on the year before. We’re proud to bring PPE into New Zealand and take the best of Aotearoa’s premium fresh produce – seafood, red meat, dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables – to Shanghai.”
Pre-pandemic, China was New Zealand’s second-largest international visitor market (450,000 in 2019).
The alliance agreement was first put in place in 2015 and will be extended to March 2026, having been approved by regulators in New Zealand and China.
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Through the strategic alliance, services can be easily booked through either airline. Air New Zealand and Air China customers enjoy reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, such as earning and spending loyalty points and lounge access. Air New Zealand customers also receive better access to Air China’s comprehensive domestic network. For Air China customers the alliance enhances their customers’ access to New Zealand’s regions.
