Air New Zealand and Air India Sign MoU to Launch Codeshare Partnership and Explore Direct Flight Service Between India and New Zealand by 2028

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

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March 19, 2025 10:57 PM |

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Air New Zealand and Air India, both members of the Star Alliance, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today in Mumbai to enhance connectivity between India and New Zealand. The partnership aims to provide greater travel options and more seamless connections between the two nations, which is expected to boost both tourism and business exchanges. The MoU was signed in the presence of New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, and other key dignitaries.

The centerpiece of the agreement is the establishment of a new codeshare partnership, which will cover 16 routes connecting India, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Passengers can now travel from Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai on Air India flights, and then connect at key transit points in Sydney, Melbourne, or Singapore to continue their journey on Air New Zealand-operated flights to popular destinations like Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown.

This codeshare partnership is not only designed to improve customer experience by offering more travel choices and simplifying booking processes, but it also aims to promote both countries as desirable tourism destinations. By increasing visibility in these markets, both airlines expect a significant uplift in inbound and outbound travel between India and New Zealand.

Another significant aspect of the agreement is the exploration of a direct air service between India and New Zealand, with the possibility of launching such a service by the end of 2028. This potential new route is contingent upon aircraft deliveries and regulatory approvals from the relevant authorities.

Air New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Greg Foran, emphasized the importance of India as a key growth market. He noted the rising demand for travel to New Zealand and highlighted the country’s expanding tourism sector as a critical factor in the airline’s strategy. He further mentioned that while the codeshare marks an important first step, the focus will remain on exploring the feasibility of a direct service that could strengthen the air link between the two countries in the long run.

Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, underscored the significance of the partnership as part of the airline’s global network expansion. With Air India increasing its codeshare agreements with partners like Lufthansa Group, Singapore Airlines, and All Nippon Airways, this collaboration with Air New Zealand is another step in enhancing connectivity and simplifying travel for customers. Wilson also reiterated the airline’s commitment to exploring a direct flight service between India and New Zealand in the future.

Tourism New Zealand is also heavily invested in the partnership, with plans to grow the Indian market as a major source of inbound tourism. According to their research, over 18 million people in key Indian cities are actively considering traveling to New Zealand, with more than 80,000 international travelers arriving from India last year. The number of travelers from India has grown by 23% since 2019, and the potential for further expansion in this rapidly growing market is substantial.

Tourism New Zealand’s CEO, Rene de Monchy, remarked that improved air connectivity would play a crucial role in facilitating tourism from India, offering more accessible travel options for Indian tourists keen to explore New Zealand’s landscapes, culture, and film sites.

The codeshare flights between Air India and Air New Zealand will be progressively available for booking, pending necessary regulatory approvals.

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