Air New Zealand and Etihad have decided to enhance their cooperation, paving a way for code sharing agreement between two carriers. Process for getting the regulatory approvals for the same is being worked out at fast pace.

Air NZ has applied to the New Zealand government for permission to put its code on Etihad flights between Beijing and Abu Dhabi.

Both airlines have already been granted approval for code sharing on many routes between New Zealand and Australia, between Australia and Abu Dhabi, and beyond Abu Dhabi. An Auckland-Abu Dhabi trip under the Air NZ-Etihad code share would decline distance and enhance trade ties between two nations. The new services would go on sale from April 14 for travel from April 19, according to airline sources.

11 return flights per week between Sydney and Abu Dhabi will be covered under the code sharing formula by Air New Zealand. Etihad Airways will codeshare on Air New Zealand domestic services between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown; trans-Tasman services between Sydney and Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua and Queenstown, much to the comfort of travelers who are expected to enjoy services at cheap rates.