Air New Zealand will code-share on Etihad's services between Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Abu Dhabi as well as between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow. Etihad Airways will code-share on Air New Zealand trans-Tasman and domestic services.

The code-share will also integrate Air New Zealand Airpoints and Etihad's Etihad Guest loyalty programmes, enabling customers to earn and spend on each other's flights.

Air New Zealand code-share on Etihad include 11 return flights per week between Sydney and Abu Dhabi; three return flights per week between Brisbane and Abu Dhabi; seven return flights per week between Melbourne and Abu Dhabi and three return flights per day between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow.

Etihad code-share on Air New Zealand include domestic services between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown; Trans-Tasman services between Sydney and Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua and Queenstown; Trans-Tasman services between Brisbane and Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington andTrans-Tasman services from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to Melbourne.

The code-share flights are expected to be on sale from the end of February 2011 for travel from the end of March 2011 following relevant government approvals.

James Hogan,CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “This opens up five key destinations in New Zealand that we have been eager to offer to our customers for a long time and we are certain the connections and seamless flight experience offered by Etihad and Air New Zealand will appeal to business and leisure travellers.”

Rob Fyfe, CEO of Air New Zealand, said: “This arrangement with Etihad Airways further extends connectivity options for our customers through to Europe as well as providing opportunities to further grow passenger numbers for our trans-Tasman and domestic services.”

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