New Zealand's Airline cooperation agreements

What you need to know

Airline cooperation agreements are a common feature of international aviation but require authorisation as they might otherwise breach competition law, and to ensure the benefits to the public outweigh the risk of lessening competition. Airlines can enter into cooperation agreements with one another and agree to cooperate on aspects of pricing, scheduling and service delivery in a particular market.

The Civil Aviation Act 2023 allows for authorisation of cooperation agreements, that involve New Zealand destinations. An agreement, once authorised by the Minister, enables airlines to cooperate on various aspects of their operations without breaching competition laws.

The Ministry assesses applications received and provides advice to the Minister. The decision to grant an authorisation is at the discretion of the Minister.

Details of airline cooperation agreements currently authorised are outlined on this page. Agreements authorised under the Civil Aviation Act 1990 and in effect before 5 April 2025 are treated as an authorisation under the Civil Aviation Act 2023.

Assessment framework and application guidelines released for airline cooperation agreements

Applications recently authorised

Air New Zealand and Air China strategic alliance

On 18 July 2025, Air New Zealand and Air China lodged a properly completed application seeking reauthorisation of their strategic alliance agreement.

27 March 2026:

Final decision

On 23 March 2026, the Acting Minister of Transport authorised Air New Zealand and Air China to continue to implement their strategic alliance agreement.

The authorisation is for five years through to 31 March 2031 and is not subject to any conditions.

The public notice of the decision is available below.

For more information on this authorisation please see the application, submission and decision documents below.

Other key documents that supported the Minister’s decision to grant this authorisation will also be made available here before the end of April 2026.

For any queries please contact us at alliances@transport.govt.nz.

Submissions on application

Auckland Airport submission - NZ-CA application - 25 August 2025 [PDF, 1 MB]	Christchurch Airport submission - NZ-CA application - 22 August 2025 [PDF, 152 KB]	NZ Airports submission - NZ-CA application - 25 August 2025 [PDF, 175 KB]
Travel Agents Association New Zealand submission - NZ-CA application - 22 August 2025 [PDF, 181 KB]	Tourism Industry Association submission - NZ-CA application - 19 August 2025 [PDF, 120 KB]	Tourism New Zealand submission - NZ-CA application - 10 August 2025 [PDF, 199 KB]
Applicants’ response to third party submissions - NZ-CA application – 9 September 2025 [PDF, 387 KB]

Submissions of proposed decision

Air NZ and Air China submission - NZ-CA proposed decision - 18 December 2025 [PDF, 101 KB]	Christchurch Airport submission - NZ-CA proposed decision - 22 December 2025 [PDF, 245 KB]	NZ Airports submission - NZ-CA proposed decision - 22 December 2025 [PDF, 149 KB]
TAANZ submission - NZ-CA proposed decision - 22 December 2025 [PDF, 322 KB]	TIA submission - NZ-CA proposed decision - 22 December 2025 [PDF, 208 KB]	TNZ submission - NZ-CA proposed decision - 18 December 2025 [PDF, 192 KB]

Qantas Airways and American Airlines joint business agreement

On 18 July 2025, Qantas Airways Limited and American Airlines Inc lodged a properly completed application seeking reauthorisation of their joint business agreement.

27 March 2026:

Final decision

On 23 March 2026, the Acting Minister of Transport authorised Qantas and American Airlines to continue to implement their joint business agreement.

The authorisation is for five years through to 31 March 2031 and is not subject to any conditions.

The public notice of the decision is available below.

For more information on this authorisation please see the application, submission and decision documents below.

Other key documents that supported the Minister’s decision to grant this authorisation will be made available here before the end of April 2026.

For any queries please contact us at alliances@transport.govt.nz.

Final decision

QF-AA Public notice of final decision - 27 March 2026 [PDF, 158 KB]

Proposed decision

QF-AA Public notice of proposed decision - 1 December 2025 [PDF, 144 KB]

Application documents

QF-AA Public version - Authorisation Application -18 July 2025 [PDF, 5.7 MB]

QF-AA Public version - Non-confidential Annexures - 18 July 2025 [PDF, 23 MB]

Submissions on application

Auckland Airport submission - QF-AA application - 25 August 2025 [PDF, 836 KB]	Christchurch Airport submission - QF-AA application - 22 August 2025 [PDF, 100 KB]	NZ Airports submission - QF-AA application - 25 August 2025 [PDF, 159 KB]
Travel Agents Association submission - QF-AA application - 22 August 2025 [PDF, 181 KB]	Tourism Industry Association submission - QF-AA application - 22 August 2025 [PDF, 120 KB]	Tourism New Zealand submission - QF-AA application - 22 August 2025 [PDF, 404 KB]

Submission of proposed decision

NZ Airports submission - QF-AA proposed decision - 22 December 2025 [PDF, 137 KB]

Qantas and American Airlines joint business agreement

This section has all of the information regarding the Qantas and American Airlines joint business agreement

Authorisation expires 31 March 2026 (extended from 14 November 2025)

More information

April 2025: Submissions open on proposed extension to Qantas and American Airlines authorisation

The Acting Minister of Transport is considering a variation to the end date of the current Qantas and American Airlines alliance authorisation from 14 November 2025 to 31 March 2026.

We are now inviting submissions on this matter.

Submissions will be published on the Ministry of Transport website. Please indicate if there is any information in your submission that you consider should be withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982.

Submissions should be emailed to alliances@transport.govt.nz by 5 pm, Wednesday 23 April 2025.

Proposed Qantas American Airlines extension April 2025(external link)

Jul 2020: Qantas–American Airlines Joint Business Agreement

The Minister of Transport agreed to reauthorise the alliance between Qantas and American airlines for 5 years from 14 November 2020 until 14 November 2025.

Consultation: Qantas Airways – American Airlines Reauthorisation 2020(external link)

Qantas-American Airlines Application report (external link)	Qantas-American Airlines 2020 Authorisation of Strategic Alliance(external link)	Qantas Airways – American Airways Application 2020(external link)
Auckland International Airport submission (external link)	Christchurch International Airport Submission(external link)	Tourism Industry Aotearoa Submission(external link)
Qantas–American Airlines Joint Business Alliance(external link)	Qantas–American Airlines Joint Business Agreement Application(external link)	Qantas–American Airlines Application Annexure A(external link)
Qantas–American Airlines Application Annexure C1(external link)	Qantas–American Airlines Application Annexure C2(external link)	Qantas-American Airlines Application Annexure D–I(external link)
Auckland International Airport Submission(external link)	Christchurch Airport submission(external link)	Tourism Industry Association(external link)
Tourism New Zealand submission(external link)

Air New Zealand and Air China strategic alliance agreement

This section has all of the information for the Air New Zealand and Air China strategic alliance agreement.

Authorisation expires 31 March 2026

More information

Jul 2020: Air New Zealand–Air China Alliance

The Minister of Transport agreed to reauthorise the alliance between Air New Zealand and Air China for 5 years from 31 March 2021 until 31 March 2026.

Air New Zealand - Air China Reauthorisation 2020 Consultation (external link)

Detailed Analysis: Air New Zealand Air China Alliance Reauthorisation(external link)	Preliminary advice Air New Zealand–Air China Alliance(external link)	Air New Zealand–Air China Alliance(external link)
Air NZ Air China Alliance Reauthorisation(external link)	Final advice Air New Zealand–Air China Alliance(external link)	Auckland International Airport submission(external link)
Air New Zealand Air China Application 2020(external link)	Air New Zealand–Air China Alliance Authorisation(external link)	Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development submission(external link)
Christchurch International Airport submission(external link)	Detailed analysis: Air New Zealand–Air China Alliance(external link)	Sister Cities New Zealand submission(external link)
New Zealand Airports Association submission(external link)	New Zealand Chinese Association submission(external link)	Tourism Industry Association submission(external link)

Qantas and Emirates master coordination agreement

This section has all of the information for the Qantas and Emirates master coordination agreement.

Authorisation expires 31 March 2028

More information

March 2023: Qantas/Emirates alliance reauthorised

On 28 March 2023, the Associate Minister of Transport agreed to reauthorise the alliance (Restated Master Co-ordination Agreement) between Qantas and Emirates for 5 years from 31 March 2023 until 31 March 2028. The Minister of Transport first authorised the alliance in 2013 and reauthorised in 2018.

Reauthorisation of the Qantas/Emirates Alliance - Final Advice(external link)	Reauthorisation of the Qantas/Emirates Alliance - Initial Advice(external link)
Qantas/Emirates Alliance Reauthorisation 2023 - Final report (external link)

Dec 2022: Submissions open on Qantas-Emirates Reauthorisation 2022

Submissions open on Qantas-Emirates Reauthorisation 2022

Qantas and Emirates have lodged an application seeking reauthorisation of their alliance (the Restated Master Coordination Agreement).

We are now inviting submissions from interested parties.

Submissions should be emailed to airservices@transport.govt.nz by 5 pm on Friday 27 January 2023.

Restated Master Coordination Agreement - Qantas/Emirates(external link)	Jetstar announces direct services from Brisbane to Auckland(external link)
Auckland Airport Submission - 2023 Qantas- Emirates MCA reauthorisation(external link)	NZ Airports Submission 2023 Qantas- Emirates MCA reauthorisation(external link)

Mar 2018: Qantas–Emirates Master Coordination Agreement

The Minister of Transport agreed to reauthorise the Master Coordination Agreement between Qantas Airways and Emirates for 5 years. The Minister first authorised the Master Coordination Agreement in May 2013 for 5 years.

Beehive release: Qantas – Emirates alliance authorised(external link)

Briefing paper - Initial advice Qantas-Emirates Masters Coordination Agreement Reauthorisation (external link)	Briefing paper - Final advice Qantas-Emirates Masters Coordination Agreement Reauthorisation (external link)	Report - Final report - Qantas-Emirates Masters Coordination Agreement Reauthorisation (external link)
Application - Qantas-Emirates Masters Coordination Agreement Reauthorisation (external link)	Auckland International Airport submission (external link)	NZ Airports Association submission (external link)
Tourism Industry Aotearoa submission(external link)	Qantas-Emirates response to third party submission (external link)	Report - Qantas-Emirates Masters Coordination Agreement (external link)
Briefing paper - Qantas-Emirates Masters Coordination Agreement (external link)	Application - Qantas-Emirates Masters Coordination Agreement (external link)	Qantas-Emirates 2012 application submissions (external link)

Air New Zealand and United Airlines side agreement

This section has all of the information for the Air New Zealand and United Airlines side agreement.

More information

Nov 2016: Air New Zealand–United Airlines Side Agreement

The Minister of Transport authorised the Side Agreement to the Alliance Expansion Agreement between Air New Zealand and United Airlines, which was authorised in 2002.

The original Alliance Expansion Agreement allowed the airlines to coordinate services across their networks, although some fare categories on the Auckland–Los Angeles route were not included. The 2016 Side Agreement included those fare categories and allowed the airlines to coordinate all fares between New Zealand and the United States.

Briefing Paper Air New Zealand and-United Airlines alliance amendment application(external link)	Application - Air New Zealand - United Airlines Aide agreement (external link)
Tourism New Zealand submission (external link)	Auckland Airport submission(external link)
Christchurch International Airport submission(external link)

Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines strategic alliance agreement

This section has all of the information for the Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines strategic alliance agreement.

More information

February 2024: Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines alliance reauthorised

On 20 February 2024, the Associate Minister of Transport agreed to reauthorise the Strategic Alliance Agreement between Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines for a further 5 years until 31 March 2029. The Minister of Transport first authorised the alliance in May 2014 and reauthorised in March 2018.

2024 Beehive media release Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines’ alliance extended(external link)

August 2023: Submissions open on Air New Zealand-Singapore Airlines Reauthorisation 2023

Submissions open on Air New Zealand-Singapore Airlines alliance reauthorisation.

Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have lodged an application seeking reauthorisation of their alliance (the Strategic Alliance Agreement).

We are now inviting submissions from interested parties.

Submissions should be emailed to airservices@transport.govt.nz by 5 pm on Tuesday 12 September 2023.

Application - Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines Strategic Alliance 2023(external link)	Dunedin Airport Submission 2023 Air New Zealand-Singapore SAA Reauthorisation(external link)	Queenstown Airport Submission 2023 Air New Zealand-Singapore SAA Reauthorisation(external link)
Auckland Airport Submission 2023 Air New Zealand-Singapore SAA Reauthorisation(external link)	NZ Airports Submission 2023 Air New Zealand-Singapore SAA Reauthorisation(external link)	CIAL Submission 2023 Air New Zealand-Singapore SAA Reauthorisation(external link)
Tourism Industry Association Submission 2023 Air New Zealand-Singapore SAA Reauthorisation(external link)	Tourism New Zealand Submission 2023 Air New Zealand-Singapore SAA Reauthorisation(external link)	Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand increase capacity between Singapore and New Zealand from 2024(external link)

Oct 2018: Air New Zealand–Singapore Airlines Strategic Alliance Agreement

The Minister of Transport agreed to reauthorise the Strategic Alliance Agreement between Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines until 28 March 2024. The Minister first authorised the Alliance in August 2014 for a period of 4 years.

2014 Beehive media release Air NZ - Singapore Airlines alliance authorised (external link)

Final report Air New Zealand - Singapore Airlines Reauthorisation (external link)	Final advice Air New Zealand - Singapore Airlines Reauthorisation(external link)	Air New Zealand Revenue-Sharing Joint Venture Agreements Analysis (external link)
Initial advice Air New Zealand-Singapore Airlines Reauthorisation (external link)	Air New Zealand-Singapore Airlines Alliance Analysis (external link)	Air New Zealand-Singapore Airlines Reauthorisation Application (external link)
Auckland International Airport submission (external link)	Tourism Industry Aotearoa submission (external link)	Christchurch International Airport submission (external link)
Application Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines Strategic Alliance (external link)	Briefing paper - Air New Zealand-Singapore Airlines Alliance (external link)	Analysis on the Air New Zealand-Singapore Airlines Alliance Application(external link)
Air New Zealand-Singapore Airlines Alliance Application (external link)	Air New Zealand-Singapore Airlines 2014 application submissions(external link)

Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia codeshare agreement

This section has all of the information for the Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia codeshare agreement.

More information

August 2024: Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia codeshare agreement authorised

On 22 August 2024, the Associate Minister of Transport authorised a Commercial Framework Agreement, Codeshare Agreement, and various related agreements between Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia for a period of 5 years until 22 August 2029.

Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia Codeshare Authorisation 2024 - Initial Advice(external link)

Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia Codeshare Authorisation 2024 - Final Advice(external link)

Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia Codeshare Authorisation 2024 - Report(external link)

Jan 2024: Submissions open on Air New Zealand-Virgin Australia application for proposed partnership

Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia have lodged an application seeking authorisation to give effect to a Commercial Framework Agreement, Codeshare Agreement, and various related agreements.

We are now inviting submissions from interested parties.

Submissions should be emailed to airservices@transport.govt.nz by 5 pm on Thursday 1 February 2024.

Application - Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia codeshare agreement 2023(external link)	Kayes Submission 2023 Air NZ and Virgin Australia Codeshare authorisation(external link)
1blogs Submission 2023 Air NZ and Virgin Australia Codeshare authorisation(external link)	Queenstown Airport Submission 2023 Air NZ and Virgin Australia Codeshare authorisation(external link)
Anon Submission 2023 Air NZ and Virgin Australia Codeshare authorisation(external link)	Auckland Airport Submission 2023 Air NZ and Virgin Australia Codeshare authorisation(external link)
CIAL Submission 2023 Air NZ and Virgin Australia Codeshare authorisation(external link)	NZ Airports Submission 2023 Air NZ and Virgin Australia Codeshare authorisation(external link)

Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific North Asia alliance agreement

This section has all of the information for the Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific North Asia alliance agreement

More information

October 2024: Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific alliance reauthorised

On 22 October 2024, the Associate Minister of Transport reauthorised the North Asia Alliance Agreement between Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific for a further 5 years until 31 October 2029. The Minister of Transport first authorised the alliance in 2012 and reauthorised in 2015 and 2019.

April 2024: Submissions open on Air New Zealand / Cathay Pacific alliance reauthorisation

Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific have lodged an application seeking reauthorisation of their North Asia Alliance Agreement.

We are now inviting submissions from interested parties.

Submissions should be emailed to airservices@transport.govt.nz by 5 pm on Friday 3 May 2024.

Application – Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific alliance reauthorisation 2024(external link)	NZ Airports Submission 2024 Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific NAA reauthorisation(external link)
Auckland Airport Submission 2024 Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific NAA reauthorisation(external link)	Tourism New Zealand Submission 2024 Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific NAA reauthorisation(external link)
Christchurch Airport Submission 2024 Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific NAA reauthorisation(external link)	Queenstown Airport Submission 2024 Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific NAA reauthorisation(external link)

Aug 2019: Air New Zealand–Cathay Pacific North Asia Alliance Agreement

The Minister of Transport agreed to reauthorise the North Asia Alliance Agreement between Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific for 5 years until 31 October 2024. The Minister first authorised the Alliance Agreement on 1 November 2012, and reauthorised it on 26 August 2015 for a period ending 31 October 2019.

Air New Zealand–Cathay Pacific Alliance Reauthorisation(external link)	Briefing - Air New Zealand–Cathay Pacific Alliance Reauthorisation(external link)	Air New Zealand–Cathay Pacific Airways North Asia Alliance Reauthorisation(external link)
Auckland International Airport submission(external link)	Tourism Industry Aotearoa submission(external link)	Christchurch International Airport submission(external link)
Final Cabinet Paper (external link)	Reauthorising the Alliance Between Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific(external link)	Reauthorisation of the Alliance Between Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific(external link)
Application by Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific for Reauthorisation(external link)	Air New Zealand–Cathay Pacific Airways Application(external link)	Tourism Industry Association NZ Submission(external link)
Air New Zealand Cathay Pacific Alliance(external link)	Application Air NZ and Cathay Pacific(external link)	Air New Zealand–Cathay Pacific 2012 application submissions(external link)
Wellington International Airport submission(external link)

British Airways, Qatar Airways and Iberia Airlines joint business agreement

This section has all of the information for the British Airways, Qatar Airways and Iberia Airlines joint business agreement.

More information

March 2025: British Airways–Qatar Airways alliance reauthorised

On 26 March 2025, the Acting Minister of Transport, Hon James Meager authorised the alliance between British Airways and Qatar Airways, with Iberia Airline as an added party, for a further 5 years until 31 May 2030.

British Airways and Qatar Airways reauthorisation - Report - March 2025 [PDF, 2.7 MB]

British Airways and Qatar Airways reauthorisation - Briefing - March 2025 [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Jan 2025: Submissions open on British Airways-Qatar reauthorisation 2025

British Airways and Qatar Airways, along with Iberia Airlines as an added party, have lodged an application seeking reauthorisation of their Joint Business Agreement.

We are now inviting submissions from interested parties.

Submissions should be emailed to alliances@transport.govt.nz by 5 pm on Monday 24 February 2025.

Application for British Airways and Qatar Airways and Iberia Airlines to the Minister of Transport pursuant to Part 9 of the Civil Aviation Act 1990 (external link)

May 2020: British Airways–Qatar Airways Alliance 2020

The Minister of Transport agreed to authorise an alliance between British Airways and Qatar Airways for 5 years until 31 May 2025.

British Airways–Qatar Airway(external link)s Alliance 2020 Consultation(external link)

British Airways–Qatar Airways Codeshare Application Report(external link)	British Airways–Qatar Airways 2020 Codeshare Authorisation (external link)	British Airways–Qatar Airways Authorisation(external link)
Christchurch International Airport submission(external link)	Auckland Airport submission(external link)