Friday, March 21, 2025
A new chapter in international collaboration has begun as Auckland Airport and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport formalize a strategic partnership aimed at fueling growth in tourism and trade between New Zealand and India.
This alliance, sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was announced during a high-profile visit to India by the New Zealand Government and a delegation of business leaders. The move underscores both nations’ commitment to strengthening economic and cultural connections.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon applauded the initiative, emphasizing the enduring and growing relationship between the two countries. He noted that this partnership would act as a catalyst for new opportunities in aviation, business, and people-to-people ties.
Travel between India and New Zealand has seen significant growth over the past decade, with a 78% increase in demand since 2015. In 2024 alone, 351,000 travelers moved between the two nations. Delhi and Auckland have emerged as key nodes in this connection, accounting for nearly 110,000 of those journeys. Tourism flow has been active on both sides, with 102,000 New Zealanders visiting India and 83,000 Indian travelers arriving in New Zealand last year.
“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 cooperation between the two airports that facilitate tourism, trade and people to people links between our nations is a fantastic step forward,” Prime Minister Luxon said.
The collaboration will extend beyond air routes. The two airports plan to exchange expertise in airport operations, customer experience, and management practices. This knowledge-sharing effort is expected to elevate service standards and operational efficiency at both ends, creating a smoother travel experience for passengers.
“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.
“About 75% of all international visitors to New Zealand first arrive in the country via Auckland Airport and we play a really active role in growing air connectivity between New Zealand and the world. While we have 26 airlines flying to 42 destinations, overall seat capacity remains 9% down on where it was in 2019. Partnerships like this one with Delhi Airport will support Auckland Airport in connecting New Zealand with destinations around the globe and in doing so bringing with it valuable tourism spend and vital freight capacity for our export industries.
“Every daily widebody flight that comes into Auckland Airport over the course of a year brings with it $150m in tourism spend and moves half a billion dollars in high value exports and imports, so we can’t underestimate the value of these connections.
“While there are no non-stop flights at this time, we know there is strong and growing demand for people wanting to travel between India and New Zealand, and this partnership will work to grow that demand even more.”
CEO, Delhi International Airport, Mr Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said, “The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (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 are 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.”
Ms Hurihanganui said the Indian market presented further opportunities for growth, with Tourism New Zealand figures showing there are around 18 million people actively considering a visit to New Zealand, with 57% identifying New Zealand as their top destination choice.
“We also know a growing number of people of Indian origin call New Zealand home with around 330,000 living in New Zealand. India is our second largest source of international students and largest source of skilled migrants – both of which must be underpinned by strong aviation connections,” she said.
With India being one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing tourism and trade partners, this airport-to-airport partnership marks a forward-looking step in facilitating closer economic and cultural integration.
