OREANDA-NEWS. Auckland Airport has welcomed today’s announcement of a proposed alliance between Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines and the decision by Singapore Airlines to progressively introduce an A380 daily service to Auckland.

Glenn Wedlock, Auckland Airport’s general manager aeronautical commercial, says, “It is important to celebrate both the additional capacity from the A380 services and the capacity growth and improved connectivity this alliance would deliver if it receives regulatory approval. This decision is no doubt influenced by the strong performance of the South East Asian routes into Auckland which have seen high passenger loadings of more than 85%, on average, this past year.”

Auckland Airport estimates that the total additional capacity arising from both the alliance and the use of the A380 on the Singapore-Auckland route to be at least 100,000 seats in the first year, and significantly more once the A380 becomes a daily service.  Singapore Airlines’ decision to progressively introduce an A380 aircraft daily service on the route provides at least an extra 40,000 of those seats in that first year.

“Auckland Airport welcomes the commitment of both Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines to grow the Singapore-Auckland route, and we congratulate Air New Zealand on transforming its pre-existing business relationship into a strategic partnership with one of the world’s largest carriers.”

“Today’s announcements also strongly support Auckland Airport’s ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’ business strategy to grow travel markets and unlock growth opportunities in travel, trade and tourism for New Zealand.”

“Our focus on growing emerging markets such as India and Indonesia, as well as Australia and the Americas, provides passengers with greater choice, more convenient flight schedules and better value for money.”

“It is also really great to see further evidence of the tourism industry’s shared commitment to deliver on New Zealand’s aspirations to grow air services as outlined in the New Zealand Tourism Industry Association’s ‘Tourism 2025’ strategy. There is a real sense that the industry is focused on working to deliver growth for the country. Air New Zealand’s and Singapore’s announcements are fantastic examples of this aspiration.”

Singapore is a critical hub airport, providing New Zealand with access to South East Asia and key tourism markets such as India and Indonesia. Passenger movements between New Zealand and Singapore have grown by 10% in the past 12 months. In the past three years passenger movements between New Zealand and India have increased by 11% and between New Zealand and Indonesia they have increased by 39%.

“Today’s announcements strengthen Auckland’s position as an Australasian hub airport, and it will provide us with further opportunities for building even greater connectivity in tourism and trade for New Zealand.”