International Air Services Information

Bilateral and Multilateral Air Services Agreements

Scheduled international air transport around the world is generally governed by bilateral Air Services Agreements (ASAs) between States. The arrangements negotiated cover matters such as the routes that may be flown, the capacity (frequency and aircraft types) that may be offered by airlines, how many airlines may operate, and how tariffs (i.e. prices) may be regulated. New Zealand has concluded ASAs with 46 partners to date. A list of the countries and territories with which New Zealand has agreements follows:

• New Zealand's Air Services Agreements 

The text of the open skies agreement between Australia and New Zealand can be accessed on the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website:

• Memorandum of Understanding on Open Skies Between Australia and New Zealand (opens in new window)
• Agreement Between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of Australia Relating to Air Services (opens in new window)

New Zealand signed a multilateral "open skies" agreement, known as the Multilateral Agreement for Liberalisation of Air Transportation (MALIAT), in 2001 along with Brunei, Chile, Singapore and the United States. The agreement has been ratified by Brunei, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States, and came into force on 21 December 2001. It is the first of its kind in that it is open to accession by other interested economies. The bilateral agreements New Zealand has with Brunei, Singapore and the United States are suspended as a result. Chile has signed the MALIAT but has yet to ratify it. Peru joined the MALIAT on 17 May 2002.

"Open skies" agreements permit unrestricted services by the airlines of the countries involved to, from and beyond the others' territories, without prescribing where carriers fly, the number of flights they operate and the prices they charge.

New Zealand is the Depository State for the MALIAT, the text of which is available in the English, Spanish and Malay languages fromn http://www.maliat.govt.nz/. Enquiries about the Agreement may be made to airservices.

Schedule and Tariff filing

In accordance with the requirements of their International Air Service Licences and the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1990, international airlines may submit Nature of Services and Tariff filings directly to the Secretary for Transport at  airservices. Alternatively, filings may be submitted by fax +64 4 439 9004, by courier to the New Zealand Ministry of Transport, Air Services Team, Level 6, Novell House, 89 The Terrace, Wellington, or by post to P O Box 3175, Wellington, New Zealand.