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Air New Zealand and Air Chathams have launched a new interline partnership aimed at improving regional connectivity, giving travellers easier access to and from Whakatāne and the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Customers can now book a single domestic ticket combining Air Chathams and Air New Zealand services for travel from Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The arrangement includes through check-in for baggage, allowing for smoother connections on journeys such as Whakatāne to Queenstown or Christchurch to Whakatāne.
Air New Zealand chief transformation and alliances officer Michael Williams says the partnership marks an important step for regional air travel.
“Whakatāne is the heart of the Eastern Bay of Plenty, and strong air links are vital for keeping regional communities connected,” Michael says.
“Regional connectivity is also a key driver of New Zealand’s economy, and partnerships like this help strengthen those links.”
Michael says collaboration across the aviation and regional sectors is essential.
“It takes airlines, local government, airports and communities working together to keep New Zealand moving. This is just the beginning, and we expect to build more partnerships over time as we look for smarter ways to support connectivity across Aotearoa.”
Air Chathams chief executive Duane Emeny says the partnership reflects the airline’s long-standing commitment to regional New Zealand.
“The regions are at the heart of what we do,” Duane says.
“We’ve been connecting communities for more than three decades, and working with Air New Zealand allows us to offer Whakatāne customers better access to the rest of the country, while supporting travel for work, leisure and everyday life.”
Whakatāne District Council mayor Nándor Tánczos says the agreement is a positive development for the district.
“Stronger air links make it easier for visitors to experience what Whakatāne has to offer, while also helping our own community travel for business, education, health and to connect with whānau,” Nándor says.
“This partnership is a constructive step forward, and we welcome Air New Zealand and Air Chathams working together to deliver the benefits of the interline arrangement.”
Both airlines say the initial focus will be on delivering a smooth experience for Whakatāne travellers, while also exploring future opportunities to strengthen regional connectivity.
