Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand have confirmed 6 January 2015 as the launch date for their alliance, with codeshare flights going on sale on both airlines’ services between Singapore and New Zealand today, 25 September.

Under the alliance Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand’s goal is to increase their existing capacity between New Zealand and Singapore by up to 30 per cent year-round over time, while delivering enhanced benefits to their customers. Customers will enjoy increased capacity and additional frequencies between the two countries as well as codeshare connectivity to a further 40 destinations in the Air New Zealand network. In turn, Air New Zealand will codeshare to a further 50 destinations on the Singapore Airlines and SilkAir network.

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said: “This alliance is a clear example of how our two airlines can do more by working together than we could do individually. Through increased frequency between Singapore and New Zealand and new codeshare destinations, it provides numerous benefits to our customers. It is also another example of our commitment to the important Southwest Pacific market.”

Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon said: “Our alliance with Singapore Airlines going on sale is an exciting milestone in our growth strategy. We are looking forward to operating to Singapore for the first time in eight years, with this alliance allowing us to further expand our long haul network and open up a wide range of new codeshare destinations for our customers.

Under the alliance, Air New Zealand will operate newly refurbished B777-200 aircraft on the Auckland-Singapore route. Singapore Airlines will continue to operate retrofitted B777-200ER aircraft on the Singapore-Christchurch route. A380s will be used on the Singapore-Auckland route during the Northern Winter operating season, reverting to B777-300ERs during Northern Summer.