Air NZ, Singapore Airlines alliance on sale from 25 Sep

Media release

23 September 2014

Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines alliance on sale from 25 September

Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have confirmed 6 January 2015 as the launch date for their alliance, with codeshare flights going on sale on both airlines’ services between New Zealand and Singapore on 25 September.

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, while delivering enhanced benefits to their customers.

Customers will enjoy increased capacity and additional frequencies between the two countries as well as codeshare connectivity to a further 50 destinations on the Singapore Airlines network and on Singapore Airlines’ subsidiary SilkAir throughout South East Asia, the United Kingdom, Europe and South Africa. Singapore Airlines customers will in turn have access to nearly 40 codeshare destinations in the Air New Zealand network.

Air New Zealand Airpoints members travelling on Singapore Airlines services will continue to enjoy their Airpoints earning and frequent flyer benefits as they do today, while also being able to earn and redeem Airpoints Dollars on SilkAir services from 6 January 2015.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon says the alliance is great news for both travellers and New Zealand’s tourism industry alike.

“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 eightyears, 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 is well regarded for its inflight product and service which we believe complements the service that Air New Zealand is well regarded for. By working closely together we hope we can further stimulate the market and drive visitor numbers from both ends of the route,” says Mr Luxon.

Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer 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 featuring Business Premier, Premium Economy, Economy Skycouch and Economy seating.

Singapore Airlines will continue to operate retrofitted Boeing 777-200ER aircraft on the Christchurch – Singapore route. Airbus A380s will be used on the Auckland – Singapore route during the Northern Winter operating season, reverting to Boeing 777-300ERs during Northern Summer.

The combined Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines schedule from 6 January 2015 will be as follows:

Note: the above schedules and flight numbers are subject to change.

Ends

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