Airlines unveil partnership details

The Qantas-Emirates partnership was approved in Australia in March but New Zealand did not approve the arrangement until two months later. Photo / Richard Robinson

Emirates and Qantas deal allows customers to transfer frequent flyer points and baggage allowances.

Emirates and Qantas will unveil further details of their partnership across the Tasman at the official launch of the arrangement in Auckland tomorrow.

Under rules imposed by the New Zealand and Australian governments they can work together on the route but aren't allowed to reduce capacity, in order to maintain present levels of competition.

The two airlines are finalising details including how they align fares. While there will be some fare movement they are unlikely to increase overall on the highly competitive route where Air New Zealand and its partner airline, Virgin Australia, are the dominant players with nearly 60 per cent of passengers.

The Qantas-Emirates partnership was approved in Australia in March but New Zealand did not approve the arrangement until two months later, before which time the airlines were unable to discuss details of how it would work across the Tasman.

It will offer more seamless travel between the two carriers with passengers able to transfer frequent flyer miles, baggage allowances and lounge access.

Combined, there will be almost 130 return flights a week between New Zealand and Australia, and then on to more than 65 destinations across Europe, Asia North, Africa and the Middle East on the joint network alone.

Commercial director of House of Travel Brent Thomas said the reach for travellers to and from New Zealand would increase.

"It does make it easier for travellers between the two carriers and anything that makes it easier for the customers, as long as there's competition, is going to be good."

The airlines want to ensure their flights don't depart or arrive at the same time, which may require some rescheduling.

The alliance will allow Emirates to offer Queenstown and Wellington as destinations on codeshare flights with Qantas. Neither airport is able to handle the Boeing 777s and A380s that Emirates operates but Qantas and its subsidiary Jetstar serves them with Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s.