Air NZ Signs Bilateral To Operate Flights Into India

Reema Sisodia - Mumbai

Air New Zealand Limited, a part of Star Alliance, recently received permission to operate direct flights into India. That airline has its official presence in the Indian market since the past 10 years as a part of InterGlobe Air Transport.

Speaking about the new development, Peter Elmsly, general manager (Eastern region) of Air New Zealand, he said, "We hope to start direct flights from India into New Zealand but the feasibility of this development would depend upon the increase in tourism traffic between the two countries. The traffic at present is more from New Zealand into India, with approximately 34,000 travellers coming into India per annum. The number from India into New Zealand is approximately 17,000 per annum, which is definitely increasing with time but we intend to boost it further. The Tourism New Zealand office in India has been extremely successful in boosting tourism traffic from India and we are very positive about the future."

Kiran Nambiar, country manager (India) of Tourism New Zealand, said, "New Zealand is now being recognised as a solo tourism destination with newer itinerary and attractions in place, which has been the result of market demand."