Bridges approves agreement that restores Beijing air link

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has approved his second international airline alliance within a week.

The alliance between Air New Zealand [NZX: AIR] and Air China was first announced during President Xi’s state visit in November last year.

It will run for an initial term of five years and four months until March 31, 2021.

Air China's Beijing-Auckland service will begin operating on December 10 with an introductory fare from $539 one-way (terms and conditions apply).

The airlines say codesharing will offer better access to Air China’s comprehensive domestic network for Air New Zealand customers, while Air China customers will have enhanced access to Air New Zealand’s network including domestic New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands and South America.

Mr Bridges signed the authorisation after it received cabinet approval on Monday, allowing the new service to compete with existing services operated by China Southern, China Eastern and Cathay Pacific.

Last week Mr Bridges approved a four-year extension of the Cathay Pacific-Air New Zealand revenue-sharing alliance on the Hong Kong-Auckland route.

Air New Zealand stopped flying to Beijing in 2013 as an add-on to its Shanghai service.

Air China is one of China’s Big Three airlines and is based in Beijing.   


“This alliance means travellers will be able to access more flights and lower fares between New Zealand and Beijing and Shanghai, ensuring they have access to a greater range of choices,” Mr Bridges says. 



“[It also] will mean Air China will actively market New Zealand as a visitor destination. China is our second-largest tourist market behind Australia, with visitor arrivals due to double in the next five years.”

Air New Zealand will continue to operate Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the Auckland-Shanghai route in four seating choices while initially Air China will operate A330-200 aircraft between Auckland and Beijing with business and economy seating.

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