Follows final approval from New Zealand’s Ministry of Transport.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Transport has today given final approval to Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand for their planned codeshare alliance, which will now begin before the end of this year.
The approval is the final piece in the puzzle for the two airlines, who are looking to get back together for the first time since an acrimonious split six years ago.
The ACCC in Australia approved the planned alliance in early Jun.
Under the deal, customers of Virgin Australia will be able to book seats on Air New Zealand flights between Australia and Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Virgin Australia’s existing services between Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to Queenstown are not included in the deal, with the two airlines remaining competitors on this route.
The new deal will also not affect Air New Zealand’s existing codeshare agreement with Qantas.
More details in Monday’s issue of Travel Daily.