Emirates Adds A380 To Brisbane-Auckland, NZ Approves Qantas Deal

New Zealand-bound travellers have received a double tonic with Emirates set to fly more A380s there next winter and news that the country’s regulator has given the green light to the Emirates-Qantas partnership.

From October 1, one of Emirates’ two daily Brisbane services will be served by the double-decker aircraft, providing an extra 1,890 seats a week, and the airline will be the first to bring the A380 into the east coast city. The double-daily service is currently served by a Boeing B777-300ER aircraft.

The Brisbane service flies onto Auckland, which will be served by three daily Emirates A380s from early October.

It’s another fillip for the Australian market, coming on top of the previous announcement that a second A380 will operate to Sydney from June.

The approval of the Emirates-Qantas tie-up by the New Zealand Minister for Transport provides the final piece in the partnership jigsaw – even though it had been a potential sticking point with concerns that the two airlines’ dominance on trans-Tasman routes would distort competition.

New Zealand passengers can access the lounges, frequent flyer benefits and destinations available under the joint network and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said it opens the door to increased tourism opportunities. From Emirates’ hub in Dubai, passengers can connect to 65 one-stop destinations in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.