Qantas-Emirates NZ alliance to launch in August
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The alliance between Qantas and Emirates will stretch across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand next month.
From 14 August 2013, the two carriers will align fares, frequent flyer benefits and codeshare arrangements on flights across the Tasman, bringing New Zealand in line with the global partnership started by the airlines in April this year.
Together, Qantas and Emirates will operate around 130 weekly flights from Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown to Australia – then onwards across the two carriers’ global route maps.
Emirates’ trans-Tasman services are operated by the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777, while Qantas’ services are served using a fleet of B737-800s.
“New Zealand was part of the Qantas-Emirates vision from the start and since receiving government approval in May our teams have been working hard towards switching the partnership on,” said Qantas’ executive manager for international sales, Stephen Thompson.
“From mid-August New Zealanders will be able to take full advantage of the network, lounges and frequent flyer opportunities available with Qantas and Emirates, tapping into a comprehensive trans-Tasman schedule and a vast range of international destinations.
“The partnership is also good news for inbound tourism… Wellington and Queenstown are likely to benefit considerably, as these are Qantas destinations that Emirates will now offer to their global customer base for the first time,” he added.
The Qantas-Emirates trans-Tasman joint venture follows the recent approval of a similar arrangement between Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia, which is also linked to Virgin Australia’s tie-up with Etihad Airways.
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