Auckland Airport has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, focusing on future trade and tourism growth 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 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.
Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui said there’s a strong potential for enhancing connectivity, boosting tourism, and increasing freight movement between the two nations.
She noted that the two airports would collaborate to support the establishment 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,” Hurihanganui said.
“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 in 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,” Hurihanganui added.
According to data from Tourism New Zealand, around 18 million individuals in India are actively considering a trip to NZ, with 57% naming it as their preferred destination. Meanwhile, 77% of Indian visitors arrive during New Zealand’s off-peak season, making India an ideal market for expanding tourism beyond New Zealand’s peak summer months.
“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,” Hurihanganui said.
Delhi International Airport chief executive Videh Kumar Jaipuriar described the MoU as a way to “strengthen the flow of people, goods, and ideas, and open up new opportunities for tourism and freight.”
“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.”
New Zealand has also recently signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with India, signalling its commitment to enhancing collaboration with the said country in the forestry and horticulture sectors.