Air NZ & SIA codeshare almost approved

Approval from the NZ Transport Minister is the only hurdle left for the proposed Air NZ and SIA codeshare agreement.

The proposed codeshare agreement between Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines has been given the green light from Competition Commission Singapore.

A report in airlineroute.net says the commission found that any regulatory concerns were outweighed by the economic benefits to Singapore. But approval for the new tie up still needs to come from NZ Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee.

The proposed codeshare would see capacity between NZ and Singapore raised by 30 per cent, with Air NZ taking over five flights currently operated by Singapore Airlines and operating services to the island city-state for the first time since 2006. In return, Singapore would maintain its daily Singapore-Christchurch service as part of the deal.

Singapore Airlines passengers will also be able to codeshare on Air NZ domestic services and some international routes, while Air NZ passengers will gain codeshare access to Singapore Airlines services throughout Southeast Asia, and on its UK, Europe and Africa services.