New Zealand and Turkey have signed a new air services agreement, granting fifth freedom rights to carriers from both countries.
Under the agreement, New Zealand airlines can serve any point in Turkey, via any intermediate point, and beyond to any other airport. Turkish carriers have reciprocal rights.
This is the first air services agreement between the two countries.
"The agreement provides for Turkish and New Zealand airlines to code share on each others' services, and on the services of airlines from other countries," says New Zealand's foreign minister Murray McCully, who signed the agreement in Ankara on 5 March.
Air New Zealand and Turkish Airlines are both members of the Star Alliance. The agreement will allow the two carriers to expand networks through code share agreements if they want to do so, says the foreign affairs ministry.
Turkey is a popular destination for New Zealanders, so improved air links between the two countries will be beneficial, says McCully.
"The new agreement will provide a sound basis for developing civil aviation links between our two countries as the relationship grows," he adds.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
