Air India and Air New Zealand have signed a codeshare agreement to enhance connectivity between India, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. This partnership will enable Indian travelers from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai to connect seamlessly to New Zealand destinations, including Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown, via transit hubs such as Sydney, Melbourne, or Singapore.
Air India has been expanding its international partnerships, with recent agreements with Lufthansa Group, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia, and All Nippon Airways. The latest deal with Air New Zealand is expected to further strengthen its global reach and provide Indian travelers with better connectivity options.
The agreement was formalized at an event in Mumbai during the visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to India. A key highlight of this partnership is the commitment to explore the feasibility of launching direct flights between India and New Zealand by 2028.
Air India’s CEO emphasized that this collaboration would not only simplify travel but also help build traffic on the route, eventually making a direct service viable. He pointed out that India’s aviation sector is expanding rapidly, with local airlines placing orders for over 1,000 aircraft to meet rising demand. Outbound travel from India is growing at a rate of 8% annually, signaling a significant opportunity for airlines to expand operations.
New Zealand is keen to tap into India’s outbound travel market, recognizing its potential for tourism growth. Research indicates that nearly 18 million people in key Indian cities are actively considering travel to New Zealand. More than 80,000 Indian travelers visited New Zealand last year, marking a 23% increase from 2019 levels, with the majority traveling during off-peak months.
The agreement also includes Tourism New Zealand’s commitment to increasing inbound tourism from India. The agency has signed joint venture agreements with nine major Indian travel companies, including MakeMyTrip.com, EaseMyTrip.com, Thomas Cook (India), SOTC Travel, Pickyourtrail, Veena World, Flamingo Transworld, Kesari Tours, and Kulin Kumar Holidays. These partnerships aim to promote travel to New Zealand during winter and spring, encouraging off-season visitation.
Additionally, Tourism New Zealand, Auckland Airport, and Air New Zealand have pledged investment in a seasonal marketing campaign to attract Indian tourists. A newly announced winter campaign will further inspire Indian travelers to explore New Zealand during the colder months.
Beyond aviation, New Zealand is expanding its economic engagement with India through strategic business collaborations. One notable agreement was signed between STAAH, a global hospitality technology firm headquartered in New Zealand, and The Clarks Hotels & Resorts in New Delhi. This partnership underscores the growing role of technology in India’s thriving hospitality sector.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister emphasized the growing bilateral relationship between the two nations, noting that while cricket remains a strong cultural link, there are multiple other areas for collaboration. Technology and hospitality, in particular, present significant opportunities for fostering deeper ties and driving economic growth.
With India expected to become the fifth-largest outbound travel market by 2027, New Zealand is positioning itself as a key destination for Indian tourists. By improving air connectivity, launching high-impact marketing initiatives, and fostering business partnerships, both nations are set to strengthen their ties in the coming years.
