Mumbai: Travellers may soon get direct flights from India to New Zealand as Air New Zealand and Air India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost air connectivity between India and New Zealand. The collaboration will confer more choice to travellers with convenient access between the two countries with the establishment of a new codeshare partnership on 16 routes. Notably, the agreement also explores the introduction of a direct flight connecting Delhi and Auckland by the end of 2028.

MoU Signed

On Wednesday, Air India and Air New Zealand signed an MoU at the ‘Travel and Tourism Reception’ hosted by New Zealand Tourism at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace. Both the airlines, which are partners in Star Alliance, signed the MoU in presence of New Zealand’s prime minister Christopher Luxon.

Through the MoU, Air India and Air New Zealand established a new codeshare partnership on 16 routes between India, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Flyers will now be able to travel from the Indian cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai on Air India, and connect at Sydney, Melbourne or Singapore onto Air New Zealand-operated flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown.

Both airlines will also explore the introduction of a direct service between India and New Zealand by the end of 2028 as a part of the agreement. This decision will benefit flyers travelling between both countries as the route lacks direct flight connectivity. The connecting flights usually take 17 to 30 hours. The direct Delhi-Auckland flight is expected to be a game-changer for travellers, offering a faster and more convenient option for those travelling between India and New Zealand.

Besides improving customers’ ease of booking and travel, the codeshare also aims to increase visibility of the respective markets as tourism destinations. In 2023, 87,000 Indians visited New Zealand, marking an increase by 23% from 2019, with 72% of them visiting during the off-peak season. However, according to New Zealand Tourism, 18.3 million potential travellers across Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore are actively considering visiting New Zealand.

Statement Of Greg Foran, Chief Executive At Air New Zealand

Greg Foran, chief executive at Air New Zealand, said, “India represents a key growth market for Air New Zealand, and we are excited about the opportunity to enhance connectivity for travellers between our two countries. This codeshare agreement is an important first step, offering more options for customers while we work to understand what a direct service could look like. We are committed to working collaboratively to grow the travel market over the coming years, ensuring a strong foundation for a successful direct service by 2028.”

Statement Of Campbell Wilson, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer At Air India

Campbell Wilson, managing director and chief executive officer at Air India, said “As part of Air India’s ongoing transformation, we have been expanding our global network using our own aircraft as well as through new or expanded codeshare agreements with other airlines, chiefly our Star Alliance partners. This partnership will not only strengthen our presence and simplify customer journeys, but also help us develop traffic so that, in time to come, we may operate a non-stop service between India and New Zealand, which we and Air New Zealand have committed to explore together with the respective authorities.”

Statement Of Rene de Monchy, Chief Executive At Tourism New Zealand

Rene de Monchy, chief executive at Tourism New Zealand, said, “It's fantastic to see Air New Zealand and Air India working on stronger international connectivity between the two countries. We know improved aviation links have a crucial role to play in the growth of international tourism and will make it easier for Indian travellers to come and enjoy a holiday in New Zealand. An added bonus is that travellers from India also have a strong tendency to visit New Zealand in the off-peak months that coincide with their major holiday periods."