But a Code-Share Agreement will ease connectivity
Venkat Raman March 20, 2025
Any hopes of direct flights between India and New Zealand materialising soon were dashed to the ground as both Air New Zealand and Air India merely agreed to explore such a possibility over the next three years.
Campbell Wilson and Greg Foran, respectively Chief Executives of Air India and Air New Zealand (both of them are New Zealanders) signed a Memorandum of Understanding along with Auckland Airport and Tourism New Zealand to “enhance air connectivity between the two countries with plans to introduce direct flights by 2028.”
Code-Share Agreement
However, the two airlines signed a Code-Share Agreement, which will allow passengers to travel from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai on Air India flights connecting onward flights at Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore to Air New Zealand-operated flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown.
The Code-Share Partnership is expected to increase market visibility for India and New Zealand as tourist destinations. According to Tourism New Zealand, 87,000 Indians from India visited New Zealand, accounting for a 23% increase from 2019, with 72% of them visiting off-peak seasons. It is understood that 18 million people in India are considering visiting New Zealand.
The MoU signing ceremony, held at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai was witnessed by New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and other officials.
The Ceremony was a part of the Travel and Tourism Reception hosted by New Zealand Tourism.
Mr Luxon, a former Chief Executive of Air New Zealand, agreed that the announcement may be disappointing to thousands of people who would have expected direct flights sooner.
“All of us are committed to introducing direct flights between the two countries as soon as possible. However, it is necessary to build up demand and ensure aircraft availability. The MoU marks an important step,” he said.
Mr Luxon said that travellers now have plenty of options, including flying on Singapore Airlines and Qantas through Singapore, Sydney and Melbourne into Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
The Agreement aims to establish direct flights between Delhi and Auckland by 2028, pending aircraft deliveries and regulatory approvals. Eventually, this initiative is expected to significantly ease travel barriers for passengers, promoting tourism and business exchanges between the two countries.
Delhi, Auckland Airports Connection
Another significant development was the Agreement signed between Delhi and Auckland Airports by the respective Chief Executives Videh Kumar Jaipuriar and Carrie Hurihanganui.
It was signed in Delhi in the presence of Mr Luxon and India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on March 18, 2025.
“We are proud to sign this MoU with Delhi Airport. It is a great step in the direction of further bolstering our relationship with one of the busiest hub airports in Asia. Delhi Airport had 78 million passengers in 2024 and is directly connected to 71 international cities, including London, Dubai, Singapore, New York, Toronto and Sydney. The travel market between our two cities is growing and every day around 150 travellers fly each direction between Delhi and Auckland,” Ms Hurihanganui said.
Disappointing but hopes are high
Direct flights between India and New Zealand have long been a topic of discussion, given the growing demand for seamless travel options. Currently, travellers have to rely on connecting flights through other countries, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient. The introduction of direct flights will not only save time but also enhance the overall travel experience, making it more appealing for business travellers, people of Indian origin to visit their families in either country and for tourists.
The direct flight initiative is part of a broader strategy to boost tourism and economic ties. New Zealand is keen to attract more Indian tourists, and direct flights are seen as a key enabler in this regard. The collaboration between Air India and Air New Zealand, both members of the Star Alliance, is expected to pave the way for more such initiatives in the future.
In addition to the MoU on direct flights, several other agreements were signed during Prime Minister Luxon’s visit to Mumbai. These include (1) Defence Cooperation, strengthening military ties and enhancing joint training exercises (2) Horticulture, collaborating on advanced agricultural techniques and technologies (3) Sports: Promoting sports exchanges and development programmes (4) Education, facilitating student and faculty exchanges and joint research initiatives
India, 19th March 2025: Tourism New Zealand is making it easier than ever for Indian travellers to discover, visit, and experience New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes, and immerse themselves in the unique culture and warmth of the country. A series of initiatives have been announced to remove traditional barriers, streamline booking processes and create compelling new reasons for Indian visitors to choose New Zealand as their premier holiday destination all year round.
Tourism New Zealand Initiatives
A Tourism New Zealand Press Note said that it was doubling down on its commitment to boost Indian arrivals through a combination of strategic alliances and seasonal travel initiatives.
“Tourism New Zealand, Auckland Airport and Air New Zealand signed an MoU committing investment to a joint seasonal marketing campaign to build demand and drive off-peak visitation to New Zealand. This joint investment underscores the shared ambition to strengthen New Zealand’s position as a preferred destination for Indian visitors, specifically during the autumn, winter and spring seasons,” it said.
Joint Venture Agreements were also signed with nine Indian travel partners.
“These collaborations will drive visitation via curated travel experiences specifically designed to meet Indian traveller preferences, with particular focus on promoting New Zealand’s winter and spring seasons,” Tourism New Zealand said.
An exclusive integrated winter campaign was also announced, combining compelling media content with promotional travel packages. This initiative will inspire Indian visitors through strategic digital media placements while offering immediate conversion opportunities through travel partners featuring New Zealand’s breathtaking snow-capped destinations, adventure sports, and luxury stays during the winter season.
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy said that India is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing markets, with holiday visitor numbers experiencing double-digit growth and huge potential to keep growing.
“The travel trade has been integral in shaping holiday visitor flows and building desire for New Zealand as a premium destination for discerning travellers. We are focused on enhancing these commercial partnerships and through improved connectivity and strategically targeted high-impact marketing campaigns, we are keen to convert this interest into bookings and visitation.
“Tourism remains a cornerstone of New Zealand’s economy, the second largest export earner behind only agriculture. With Indians typically travelling outbound during their key holiday periods that align perfectly with New Zealand’s traditionally quieter seasons, we see a significant opportunity for medium and long-term growth as a preferred, premier holiday destination for Indian visitors all year round,” he said.
