Partners will add a new service later this year.

The AirNZ-Cathay alliance has boosted tourism

A good response from travellers has prompted Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand to seek regulatory approval to extend their strategic alliance for another five years and add a new seasonal service to Christchurch. The number of people visiting New Zealand from Hong Kong has grown 130 per cent since the alliance came into effect in 2013 and the airlines say it has delivered a range of benefits that include more frequencies, better connectivity and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. The new agreement would extend to 2022. Air New Zealand chief strategy, networks and alliances officer Stephen Jones said the agreement had stimulated travel. “By extending our alliance we hope to further grow these services and continue to deliver a range of benefits to the travelling public,” he said. Cathay operates seasonal daily double services to Auckland while AirNZ flies daily from New Zealand’s biggest city to Hong Kong. Cathay will add a new seasonal service between Hong Kong and Christchurch from December, operating it three days week between December 1 and February 28 .  Tickets will be on sale later this week at the carriers’ websites. Cathay corporate development director Paul Loo said the alliance with AirNZ had allowed the airlines to maximise synergies and increase travel options.