NZ’s capital gains from Singapore alliance

Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have expanded their alliance to include travel to and from New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.

From 21 September 2016, Air New Zealand will start codesharing on SIA’s new Wellington-Singapore service, which operates via Australia’s capital Canberra. SIA will also codeshare on Air New Zealand’s domestic routes from Wellington.

The two airlines first launched their alliance in early 2015, which included the SIA’s Singapore-Christchurch flights and the return of Air New Zealand on the Auckland-Singapore route. Since this time, travel between the two countries has risen sharply.

“The launch of our alliance with Singapore Airlines delivered capacity growth of 15% in its first year helping to not only grow visitor arrivals benefiting our tourism industry but also provide convenient travel options to Singapore and markets beyond,” said Air New Zealand’s chief strategy, networks & alliances officer, Stephen Jones. “We welcome the addition of the Wellington service to our alliance and look forward to celebrating the inaugural flight in a few weeks’ time.”

SIA’s new Singapore-Canberra-Wellington service will operate four times a week, departing Changi Airport at 2300 every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and arriving in Wellington at 1505 the next day, following a 75-minute stop in Canberra.

The return flights then leave the Kiwi capital at 2015 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and arrive back in Singapore at 0550 the next day, including an 85-minute stop in Canberra.

The new route has been nicknamed the “Capital Express”, as it marks the first link between the capitals of Australia and New Zealand, as well as Canberra’s first direct connection to Asia.

Fares for the new codeshare services will be available on a progressive basis from 1 September 2016. SIA and Air New Zealand are both members of the Star Alliance.