Ready for takeoff: SIA-Air New Zealand alliance gets green light from regulators

SIA will fly the Airbus A380 to NZ for the first time.

The New Zealand Minister of Transport today approved the proposed alliance of Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand. 

The alliance, which was first revealed on January 16, will lead to increased flight frequency between Singapore and New Zealand and provide other consumer benefits, such as improved connections through reciprocal codeshare ties.

The clearance represents the New Zealand regulatory approval needed for Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand to proceed with the alliance, as the Competition Commission of Singapore had earlier given its approval.

As part of the alliance, Air New Zealand will fly the Auckland-Singapore route again and Singapore Airlines will operate the world’s largest aircraft, the Airbus A380, to New Zealand for the first time.