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Air New Zealand and Air Chathams are set to strengthen regional air connectivity with a new interline partnership for Whakatāne, launching this December.
The agreement allows customers to book a single ticket for journeys that combine domestic flights on both airlines, beginning with services to or from Whakatāne. Checked baggage will be transferred through to the customer’s final destination, creating a more seamless travel experience.
Associate transport minister James Meager says the interline agreement has the potential to be an industry gamechanger.
“The Government has been focused on strengthening the foundations of regional connectivity, and this partnership is another step in achieving this goal. These connections are vital for local economies, by ensuring access to tourism, business, education and healthcare. This is about supporting regional New Zealand and keeping it connected.”
Air New Zealand incoming chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar says the airline exists to connect New Zealanders to each other and the world, and partnerships like this one with Air Chathams will help strengthen that mission.
“By working together, we’re making it easier for customers in more parts of the country to stay connected. For example, someone travelling from Whakatāne to Kerikeri can now book a single journey connecting onto an Air New Zealand service.
“It’s about giving customers more choice, greater regional connectivity, and a smoother travel experience. This partnership also lets us test a model that could strengthen connections for other regional communities in the future. This is all about supporting more parts of Aotearoa, as well as supporting local businesses and communities.”
Air Chathams chief executive Duane Emeny says the partnership will help deliver more choice and reach for regional customers, and promote Whakatāne to more visitors.
“As a proudly regional airline, we’re pleased to work alongside Air New Zealand to improve access for our Whakatāne community. This agreement gives us greater visibility through Air New Zealand’s sales channels, while ensuring our local customers enjoy a more connected travel experience.
“This partnership is an important first step and we see real potential to build on it with further regional connections in the future and continue to help unlock opportunities for growth, employment and mobility across the country.”
Whakatāne District Council chief executive Steven Perdia says the council has long advocated for an interline arrangement, and the partnership is a welcomed outcome.
“The partnership is great news for Whakatāne and the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty, and it’s good to see Air New Zealand and Air Chathams work together in support of regional New Zealand. Reliable air connections keep our people connected for business, education, health and to whānau, and also help open the door for more visitors to experience everything our district has to offer.”
Under the agreement, Air New Zealand will initially sell Air Chathams’ Whakatāne–Auckland services as part of connecting journeys, such as Whakatāne–Auckland–Queenstown or Dunedin–Auckland–Whakatāne. Further regional connections will be considered at a later stage.
