Introduction:
Air New Zealand is the largest flag carrier in New Zealand, which is operating scheduled passenger flights to 26 international and 25 domestic. The airline has been a member of the Star Alliance since 1999. Air New Zealand's route network focuses on Australia and the South Pacific, with long-haul services to East Asia and North America.
History:
Air New Zealand's history can be traced back to the Tasman Empire Airways Limited (Tasman Empire Airways Limited - TEAL) which was established in 1940. The first route of Tasman Empire Airways is the seaplane flight from New Zealand to Australia. Since then, the Tasman Empire expand international route incessantly. In addition to the international routes were provided from the Tasman Empire, the New Zealand national airline (National Airways Corporation - NAC) was established from the government of New Zealand in 1947, which is the mainly operator of providing domestic air service in New Zealand. The national airline of New Zealand and Tasman Empire Airlines are the basis of composition Air New Zealand in the future.
In 1965, Tasman Empire Airways changed its name to Air New Zealand and only provide international routes service.
In 1978, Air New Zealand and New Zealand national airline merged into a company of providing international and domestic routes service and named Air New Zealand.
In 1981, Air New Zealand introduced its first Boeing 747 airliner
In 1982, Air New Zealand initiated service to London, United Kingdom.
In March of 1999, Air New Zealand became a member of the Star Alliance.
In 2000, Air New Zealand announced that it had chosen instead to acquire the entirety of Ansett Australia (increasing its 50% stake in the carrier to 100%) for $680 million from News Corporation Ltd.
In 21 December 2010, the New Zealand government approved an alliance between Air New Zealand and Australian airline Virgin Blue (now named Virgin Australia).
During 18–19 November 2013, Fifth national