New airline partnership opens up the Japan market
Tourism New Zealand today welcomed the news of Air New Zealand's new partnership in Japan with ANA (All Nippon Airways).
The partnership makes New Zealand the first Australasian and South Pacific destination on the ANA network. It will provide travellers on both airlines with improved access to destinations in Japan and New Zealand.
Tourism New Zealand's General Manager Asia Markets, Mark Frood says the announcement is an exciting development for New Zealand tourism that provides fresh, long term energy for the Japan market.
"ANA is part of the Star Alliance and has an extensive domestic network in Japan. This partnership will introduce key Star Alliance connections that to date, have been missing and will enable convenient one-stop access to New Zealand from up to 48 cities across Japan," he says.
The partnership will also open up Japan as a corridor for European and other Asian markets travelling to New Zealander as well as those Kiwis travelling north.
As a result of the partnership, Air New Zealand will move its Narita airport base to Terminal 1 South, placing it alongside other Star Alliance carriers. The move gives customers the convenience of smooth transit to connecting flights operated by ANA and other Star Alliance partners.
Air New Zealand has also secured its NZ code on up to five domestic Japan routes, a first for a New Zealand airline.
Mark says; "ANA is now looking at how it can promote New Zealand as a leisure destination within the Japanese market.
"As one of Asia's largest airlines, this is really positive news for New Zealand but also for travellers. The Star Alliance network enables greater reach and effectiveness of marketing campaigns and more convenient, seamless booking and travel to New Zealand for travellers out of Japan.
The pending code share arrangement is subject to government approval but is due to commence in March 2012, in time for the northern summer season.
For more information about the Japan market see the Market and Stats pages.