Air New Zealand and Flight Centre Travel Group have signed a long-term strategic partnership agreement which aims to create mutual opportunities for both parties to grow their global revenue position across New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada and the UK.

The three year agreement was signed last night in Brisbane by Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon and Flight Centre Travel Group chief Graham Turner.

Luxon said the partnership seeks to build deeper sales and market development opportunities in addition to improving alignment with tourism board marketing opportunities.

“In addition to growing capacity and improving our operating efficiencies, partnerships with like-minded industry leaders are crucial to our success.

“Flight Centre brings unique, innovative propositions to our key markets and is the ideal partner for us to increase awareness and familiarity of our global network,” added Luxon.

Flight Centre Travel Group chief operating officer Melanie Waters-Ryan also welcomed the new agreement.

“Flight Centre Travel Group and Air New Zealand have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship and we are delighted to expand our relationship globally,” Waters-Ryan said.

“Our aim will be to work proactively with Air New Zealand to promote its world class offerings to our leisure and corporate travel customers globally and to help it grow its business.

“This new agreement is in contrast to the short-term deals that we often see in the travel industry and reflects both companies’ willingness to work together over the longer term to grow the market.”