NZ to partner with SQ

Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have announced a new partnership on the Singapore - New Zealand routes.  These two already work together with their membership in Star Alliance and their ownership of shares in Virgin Australia.

The new alliance will allow NZ to re-enter the AKL-SIN market replacing SQ on 5 weekly services (SQ281/282) and adding a further two to offer 7 weekly services operated by the 772ER.  SQ will slowly add the A380 to their SQ285/286 service replacing the B773ER although initially this will only be seasonal with the 773 remaining in the off season.

I do not yet know if NZ will retime their new flights away from the late night AKL timings that SQ currently has on SQ281/282 but it seems to make sense for better fleet utilisation

The A380 should be clear of the terminal by the time 2 of the 3 EK A380s arrive so this shouldn't cause gate issues.

With the A380 replacing the B773ER their should be a capacity increase of 30% on the route.  

SQ will keep their SIN-CHC service as part of this partnership.

NZ hasn't flown its own aircraft to SIN since 2006, with the NZ code disappearing off SQ flights in 2007.  

For more on this partnership see the following:
nzherald.co.nz ARTICLE
stuff.co.nz ARTICLE
ausbt.com.au ARTICLE
NZ announcement to NZX HERE