Rivals team up on domestic air routes

Traditional rivals Air New Zealand and Qantas Airways are planning to code-share on 115 domestic routes on both sides of the Tasman.

The planned agreement means Air New Zealand passengers travelling to Australia will be able to connect seamlessly to Qantas services throughout Australia.

Similarly, Qantas passengers will be carried by Air New Zealand on domestic routes here.

Qantas intends to add its code on up to 30 routes on Air New Zealand’s domestic network and Air New Zealand intends to add its code on up to 85 routes on Qantas’ domestic network.

‘‘Co-ordination of check-in and handling at airports will mean shorter connection times, opening up more onward flights for customers on each carrier’s domestic networks and faster journey times overall,’’ the airlines said in a joint statement.

The deal will also allow customers of both airlines to use 36 domestic lounges on both sides of the Tasman when flying on routes covered by code-sharing.

The code-share does not include trans-Tasman flights, just domestic services at either end. Qantas will continue to code-share on all Jetstar connecting services in New Zealand.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said the deal would offer customers a full service experience for domestic connections within New Zealand or Australia.

‘‘We are confident that our respective customers will enjoy the reciprocal benefits on both sides of the Tasman.’’

The two airlines attempted a more comprehensive alliance in 2003, but were turned down by the Commerce Commission because it was deemed anti-competitive.

Tickets for the new code-share will be available by the end of July, for travel from October 28.