|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Driving future growth in trade and tourism between New Zealand and India is the focus of a new partnership formed today, March 19, between New Zealand’s gateway airport and the busiest airport in India.
Auckland Airport has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, as the New Zealand Government and an accompanying business delegation visit India this week.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon welcomes the MoU and says it will help strengthen the already close links between New Zealand and India.
“India is the world’s fastest growing major economy and represents such an amazing set of opportunities for our exporters to grow their markets.
“Greater co-operation between the two airports that facilitate tourism, trade and people to people links between our nations is a fantastic step forward.”
Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui, who’s part of the official business delegation in India, says there are “tremendous opportunities” for New Zealand and India to increase connectivity, tourism and freight movement between the two countries.
She says Auckland Airport and Delhi Airport will work together to advance these goals, and in particular, support the aspiration of non-stop flights operating between Delhi and Auckland.
“We’re proud today to sign this MoU with Delhi Airport. It’s a great step in the direction of further bolstering our relationship with one of the busiest hub airports in Asia.
“Delhi Airport had 78 million passengers in 2024 and is directly connected to 71 international cities, including London, Dubai, Singapore, New York, Toronto and Sydney.
“The travel market between our two cities is growing and every day around 150 travellers fly each direction between Delhi and Auckland.”
Demand for travel between India and New Zealand has grown by 78 per cent since 2015, with 351,000 people travelling between India and New Zealand in 2024.
A third of those trips included travel between Delhi and Auckland alone, with around 110,000 people travelling between the two cities in 2024.
In 2024, 102,000 New Zealand residents visited India, and 83,000 Indian residents came to New Zealand.
Delhi International Airport chief executive Videh Kumar Jaipuriar says: “The signing of the MoU between Delhi Airport and Auckland Airport marks a significant step in enhancing trade, tourism, and connectivity between India and New Zealand.
“This collaboration aims to support the growing demand for travel between the two countries, particularly on the Delhi-Auckland route.
“As India’s economy continues to grow, it will strengthen the flow of people, goods, and ideas, and open up new opportunities for tourism and freight.
“We’re excited about the potential ahead. This partnership promises to drive long-term growth and strengthen the ties between our two great nations.
“We look forward to working closely with Auckland Airport to help make non-stop flights a reality and to share best practices in airport operations and customer experience.”
