The alliance, subject to regulatory approvals, would see Air China introduce a daily direct service between Beijing and Auckland. The Chinese flag carrier would also continue to codeshare on Air New Zealand’s daily Shanghai – Auckland service which will be operated exclusively by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from late August.

The proposed alliance would further open up Beijing as a new market to and from New Zealand and the airlines aim to almost double their sustainable capacity between China and New Zealand while delivering a range of other benefits to travellers including greater frequency and network connections.

Subject to regulatory approvals, alliance services could commence as early as December 2015.

23 March 2015