As a small country isolated by vast areas of ocean, air links are essential to New Zealand’s connectivity with the rest of the world.

Our trade and tourism industries are heavily reliant on visitors arriving by air.

That’s why the government has made expanding air services a priority.

To fly in and out of the countries, agreements need to be put in place between countries to allow services. These agreements with other countries remove restrictions and help pave the way for airlines to operate new routes in and out of New Zealand.

More flights allow for more high-value freight connections and increasing regional connections to international flights creates more opportunities for provincial exporters.

Increasing competition and the number of available seats drives down prices and gives prospective visitors to New Zealand more choices.

Since the government launched its International Air Transport Policy in 2012, more than 50 new or amended agreements have been negotiated, bringing the total to just more than 70.

Last week the Government signed several new air services agreements with Israel, Mauritius, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, and Portugal. We’re also expanding our existing agreements with Turkey and France.

Growing our network of air service agreements means more flights from more airlines in and out of New Zealand to more and more parts of the world.

The government has a strong track record of negotiating air service agreements and New Zealand is reaping the benefits as a result.

We are seeing record numbers of tourists arriving—3.2 million in the past year.
Most of the major airlines in the world are now able to operate services to New Zealand without restriction.

There’s been an unprecedented flourishing of new air services starting with 18 new air routes announced in the past year alone including services to Dubai, Singapore, and Los Angeles.

Just last week, Air New Zealand announced a new Auckland-Manila service creating the first ever direct air link from New Zealand to the Philippines. This is a direct result of an enhanced air services arrangement the Government signed with the Philippines in 2014.

Air service agreements are a core part of this government’s efforts to promote and open up New Zealand to the world. Being a trading nation, we’re reliant on air links with other countries.
That’s why we’ll continue our efforts to grow and enhance these connections.