Virgin Australia predicts 'very negative' customer impact from Air New Zealand/Qantas codeshares

6 June, 2018

Virgin Australia Airlines group executive Rob Sharp, speaking at CAPA Airline CEOs in Sydney, stated (06-Jun-2018) the carrier is "in the middle of a divorce" with Air New Zealand, with their alliance and codeshare partnership due to expire on 27-Oct-2018. Mr Sharp said that the decision not to continue with the partnership was made by Air New Zealand. Air New Zealand and Qantas have announced plans to enter their own codeshare partnership from 28-Oct-2018. Mr Sharp said he believes this will have a "very negative customer impact, particularly in New Zealand" as the airlines will control 70% of capacity in the trans Tasman market and will "effectively control the domestic market in New Zealand". Mr Sharp added that "from our perspective it is disappointing".