South African passengers will find it more convenient to fly to New Zealand, with the new alliance between Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand due to launch in January 2015, with codeshare flights going on sale on both airlines’ services between Singapore and New Zealand now.

Alvin Seah, general manager Central and Southern Africa at Singapore Airlines, said: “The alliance will see the Star Alliance carriers operating one return service each per day on the Singapore-Auckland route and Singapore Airlines operating a daily return service between Singapore and Christchurch.

“Customers will enjoy increased capacity and additional frequencies between the two countries as well as codeshare connectivity to a further 40 destinations in the Air New Zealand network.”

Seah highlighted that the collaboration is an example of how the two airlines can do more by working together than they could do individually.

“Through increased frequency between Singapore and New Zealand and new codeshare destinations, it provides numerous benefits to our customers,” he said.

In turn, Air New Zealand will codeshare to a further 50 destinations on the Singapore Airlines and SilkAir network.

Under the alliance, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand’s goal is to increase their existing capacity between New Zealand and Singapore by up to 30 per cent year-round over time, while delivering enhanced benefits to their customers.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said: “Our alliance with Singapore Airlines going on sale is an exciting milestone in our growth strategy.

“We are looking forward to operating to Singapore for the first time in eight years, with this alliance allowing us to further expand our long haul network and open up a wide range of new codeshare destinations for our customers.

“Singapore Airlines is well regarded for its in-flight product and service which we believe complements the service that Air New Zealand is well regarded for.

“By working closely together we hope we can further stimulate the market and drive visitor numbers from both ends of the route.”