Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says a new understanding between China and New Zealand triples the number of passenger flights that may be operated between the two countries. The understanding comes following a visit to New Zealand from His Excellency Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
“The market for [...]

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says new air services arrangements with Japan build on the already strong relationship between the two countries.
“The arrangements New Zealand and Japan have negotiated will remove many of the current restrictions on services by the airlines of the two countries,” says Mr Brownlee.
“New Zealand has close ties with Japan, and it [...]

Transport Minister Steven Joyce has signed a rule aimed at improving safety in the commercial adventure aviation industry.
“New Zealanders love their extreme sports, and we are a top adventure tourism destination. It is important that we have systems in place to ensure these activities are safe,” says Mr Joyce.
Civil Aviation Rule Part 115: Adventure Aviation [...]

Air New Zealand Ltd and Virgin Australia Airlines Tuesday announced plans for their new-look joint trans-Tasman network, a key part of their new alliance.
The alliance will connect Air New Zealand’s domestic network of 26 ports to Virgin Australia’s domestic network of 31 domestic ports, offering the largest ever Australasian route network for trans-Tasman travelers.
The new [...]

Canadian Helicopters Group Inc has acquired assets of Helicopters (N.Z.) Limited, including the shares of Helicopters (Australia) Pty Ltd and other active subsidiary companies, as well as the assets of Helicopter Nominees Limited (collectively called HNZ). The acquisition was undertaken through the Canadian group’s subsidiary, Canadian Helicopters Limited (CHL).
Canadian Helicopters Group is the largest helicopter [...]

Air New Zealand has notified the Australian Stock Exchange and New Zealand Stock Exchange that it has become a substantial shareholder in Virgin Blue, as part of a planned acquisition of a shareholding between 10% and 14.99%, announced the firm Friday.
Air New Zealand shares fell after the company made the A$145 million investment in a [...]

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a determination granting conditional authorization for three years for an alliance between Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand in relation to their flights between Australia and New Zealand (the Alliance).
Under the Alliance, the airlines would take a coordinated approach to a range of issues including pricing, revenue [...]

After their planned merger was turned down by Australian regulators, Australian airline firm, Virgin Blue has said that it will sustain its fight for the merger. Speaking over the failed merger plans, Virgin Blue chief executive, John Borghetti, said the firm will keep fighting for approval of its transtasman alliance with Air New Zealand regardless [...]

After their planned merger was turned down by Australian regulators, Australian airline firm, Virgin Blue has said that it will sustain its fight for the merger. Speaking over the failed merger plans, Virgin Blue chief executive, John Borghetti, said the firm will keep fighting for approval of its transtasman alliance with Air New Zealand regardless [...]

Qantas owned carrier, Jetstar, is keen on expanding its operations in New Zealand, at a time when Virgin Blue is pulling out of the New Zealand market. The move is aimed at enhancing its New Zealand operations that have been underperforming. The airline plans to add two extra A320 aircraft to its existing strong NZ [...]