Air New Zealand is extending its role as the One New Zealand Warriors’ official air travel partner to 33 years after recommitting its partnership to the end of 2028.
The national airline began its relationship with the Warriors in their first season in 1995 when they fielded three teams.
The level of air travel required has grown exponentially since with New Zealand’s biggest and most-travelled professional sporting franchise now boasting a stable of six teams in Australian-based competitions in the NRL, NRLW, New South Wales Cup, Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21), SG Ball Cup (under-19) and Harold Matthews Cup (under-17).
"The Warriors are the only Kiwi team in the league, so when they line up each week, the whole country lines up with them,” said Air New Zealand’s chief customer and digital officer Jeremy O’Brien.
“They travel further than any other side in the competition, so getting them there is not just a logistical task, it’s about giving our team every chance to arrive ready to take on the best and show what New Zealand can do.
“We’ve been carrying the team since 1995 and extending our work together for another three years feels pretty special. From our Warriors Vegas charter flight last year selling out in an incredible 17 minutes, to packed stands at home, this team brings New Zealanders together.”
Across the regular season, the Warriors’ six teams and their travelling parties of players and staff will make 54 return trips across the Tasman covering more than 237,000 kilometres. It is a schedule that truly brings to life the airline’s commitment to being ‘Of New Zealand, for New Zealand’, with Air New Zealand right behind the club every step of the way.
The NRL side alone will fly more than 60,000km during the regular season with 12 away games in Australia and three home matches in Brisbane, Wellington and Christchurch.
“We are so appreciative of what Air New Zealand has done for us over 31 seasons and now for at least three more to come,” said One New Zealand Warriors chief operating officer commercial and marketing Glenn Harris.
“It’s a huge logistical undertaking supporting the movement of our teams on such a regular basis.
“We’re really grateful for the quality and care that is synonymous with Air New Zealand and for the sense of home that we feel whenever we’re travelling to represent New Zealand.”
Air New Zealand has been connecting New Zealand to the world since 1940, when it first flew between Auckland and Sydney by flying boat.
Today the airline is known for its warm Kiwi hospitality and operates a modern, fuel-efficient fleet including Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, 777s, Airbus A320s and A321s, ATRs and Q300s, with an average age of 9.9 years, which fly the One New Zealand Warriors around New Zealand and across the Tasman.
- More information: https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/
- All five of the Warriors' men's team are flying Trans-Tasman with Air New Zealand today and tomorrow for games in Sydney and Newcastle on Saturday.
