Air New Zealand and ANA launch new partnership

In an effort to improve accessibility Air New Zealand and ANA plan to form a partnership in Japan to ensure their passengers have improved access to destinations in Japan and New Zealand.

Confirming the partnership, Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Rob Fyfe and ANA President and Chief Executive Officer Mr Shinichiro Ito signed a Memorandum of Understanding at a Star Alliance CEO meeting in Ethiopia.

The new relationship will provide Air New Zealand passengers access beyond the major gateways of Tokyo’s Narita and Osaka’s Kansai airports and offer ANA passengers access to destinations in New Zealand and the Australasian region.

Additionally, the collaboration will also open up Japan as a passage for New Zealanders travelling to Europe and other Asian destinations as ANA operates flights to London, Paris, Munich and Frankfurt as well as a host of Asian destinations.

As a result of the partnership, Air New Zealand will move its Narita airport base to Terminal 1 South from 25 March, placing it alongside other Star Alliance carriers.  The move will offer passengers a smooth transit to connecting flights operated by ANA and other Star Alliance partners.

 Air New Zealand’s Group General Manager International Airline, Christopher Luxon, said the new partnership will expand their reach.

 “While Japan has been a very important destination for us for three decades, this new relationship will help further extend our reach both within Japan and to points beyond,” Mr Luxon said.

“We have a clear strategy to develop strong alliances to support our core business and this new ANA code share is a good example of putting that strategy into action.”