On June 29, Air New Zealand announced that it will commence reciprocal codeshare flights with Shanghai Airlines effective from July 1, 2007.

The agreement will see Shanghai Airlines codeshare on Air New Zealand's services between Shanghai and Auckland and selected New Zealand domestic services. In return Air New Zealand will code-share on selected Shanghai Airlines' domestic China services that operate from Pudong Airport in Shanghai.

Air New Zealand Group General Manger International Airline Ed Sims said that Air New Zealand was very pleased to have reached agreement with Shanghai Airlines, which will join the Star Alliance in December 2007.

Mr Sims says the codeshare, which follows news earlier that Air New Zealand will commence reciprocal codeshare flights with Air China from July 1, 2007, will open up both the Chinese and New Zealand markets to a greater audience.

Mr Sims says Air New Zealand continues to enjoy strong uptake on its new direct route between Auckland and Shanghai. The airline currently operates three times weekly services to Shanghai increasing to five times weekly from October 29, 2007.