Air India and Air New Zealand have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the objective of boosting air connectivity between India and New Zealand. The agreement was signed in Mumbai, in the presence of New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon.
On Wednesday (March 19, 2025), Air India announced the signing of a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Air New Zealand to enhance connectivity between India and New Zealand. The agreement includes the establishment of a codeshare partnership on 16 routes between India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Customers will now be able to transfer from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai on Air India, and connect at Sydney, Melbourne or Singapore to Air New Zealand-operated flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown. Additionally, the airlines will explore the introduction of direct service between India and New Zealand by the end of 2028, subject to new aircraft deliveries and regulatory approvals.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Air New Zealand’s CEO, Greg Foran, 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.
“Today’s event underscores the significance of the India market to New Zealand, not only for tourism but also for strengthening business and education ties. 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.”
Also commenting on the new commercial cooperation, Air India’s Managing Director and CEO, Campbell Wilson, added,
“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.
“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.”
Currently, Air New Zealand’s customers traveling between New Zealand and India benefit from strong connectivity via Singapore with Singapore Airlines. The MoU also outlines Tourism New Zealand’s commitment to growing inbound tourism from India. Research indicates that around 18 million people in New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai are actively considering a visit to New Zealand, making it a key emerging market. During 2024, over 80,000 international travelers arrived in New Zealand from India, a 23 percent increase compared to the pre-pandemic period in 2019.
Source: Air India