Air NZ will start direct flights to South America

Air NZ will start direct flights to South America in code share with Argentine carrier

By Tina Morrison

Dec. 12 (BusinessDesk) - Air New Zealand, the national carrier, will start its first scheduled service to South America, with direct flights between Auckland and Buenos Aires in Argentina starting in December next year, as it seeks to expand its services in the Pacific Rim.

The local airline will enter into a code share agreement with Aerolineas Argentinas, which will also enable it to offer services to Brazil, the Auckland-based airline said in a statement. The agreement will allow travellers from Argentina to fly directly to New Zealand and then utilise Air New Zealand's network to travel further to Australia, Singapore and South East Asia.

"We've been very clear about our aspirations for growth in the Pacific Rim," Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said. "Our flights to Singapore commence next month and this new route to Buenos Aires further strengthens our network in the Pacific Rim."

Air New Zealand's Boeing 777-200 aircraft will operate three return services a week on the route, throughout the year, it said.

The agreement is subject to regulatory approvals.

Shares in Air New Zealand last traded at $2.39 and have advanced 53 percent this year.

(BusinessDesk)

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