New Zealand’s Luxon says Air India, Air NZ signal pact for simpler flight connectivity –

Air India has inked a cope with Air New Zealand to introduce direct flights between the 2 nations. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Wednesday shared a submit on X saying the settlement will increase tourism and ease journey.

“Air New Zealand and Air India have signed an agreement to make it easier to fly between our countries. This is a fantastic opportunity that’ll boost tourism which will grow our economy,” he mentioned throughout his official go to to New Delhi.

Air New Zealand and Air India have signed an settlement to make it simpler to fly between our nations.

This is a improbable alternative that’ll increase tourism which is able to develop our financial system. pic.twitter.com/xseUJ4wxzb

— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) March 20, 2025

“The MoU includes the establishment of a new codeshare partnership on 16 routes between India, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand,” a launch mentioned.

The two airways have entered right into a codeshare partnership. Generally, a codeshare partnership permits an airline to ebook its passengers on its accomplice service on a single ticket.

“We are delighted to be deepening our relationship with Air New Zealand, which follows the recent expansion of our codeshare partnerships with Lufthansa Group, Singapore Airlines, and All Nippon Airways.

“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 viably 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,” Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson mentioned.

Travellers from India and New Zealand must cease in Southeast Asian and Australian airports presently as there are not any direct flights between the 2 nations with complete journey time crossing 17 hours.

As members of the Star Alliance, each airways acknowledge sturdy demand for journey between India and New Zealand, pushed by tourism, commerce, and schooling. Additionally, New Zealand has a major Indian neighborhood, with individuals of Indian origin making up the nation’s third-largest ethnic group.

With inputs from businesses