Home»AIRLINE NEWS» Discover New Zealand: Air New Zealand now Launches Budget-Friendly Flights from India
Monday, July 28, 2025
Air New Zealand increases India-New Zealand connection with new budget flight connections. These services increase the accessibility of New Zealand for Indian travelers, renowned for its beautiful natural scenery, rich culture and tourism offerings. Air New Zealand is helping drive that with great value fares and great connections so we are doing our role to help stimulate travel between the two countries and that has to be good news for the tourism sector.
As people seek to satisfy their wanderlust after the pandemic, the new flights address a surge of interest in traveling abroad. India, one of the world’s quickest growing tourism markets, and New Zealand, a leading holiday destination famous for adventure tourism, film tourism, and nature tourism, will be among the biggest beneficiaries of this new connectivity. For vacation, for business and for cultural exchange, the new routes make it easier for tourists to see everything that New Zealand has to offer.
As part of efforts to open New Zealand for Indian Travellers
These additional Air New Zealand services from India to New Zealand will help open up more of this country’s unique experiences to Indian visitors. The airlines have several stops in the major cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, which are all very different experiences. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, is recognized for its cosmopolitan life, waterfronts, and nearby vineyards; Wellington and Christchurch are both known for their cultural festivals, vibrant art scene, and a number of historic sights.
New Zealand is also well known for adventure tourism. Whether that’s bungee jumping in Queenstown, skiing in the Southern Alps or hiking though Fiordland National Park, the country has a lot of outdoor activities. New flight connections from India can open these iconic destinations for enjoying and build on the momentum of adventure tourism and the spectrum of the tourism product between India and New Zealand.
Advantages for Business and Cultural Tourism
Apart from leisure tourism, business tourism to India and New Zealand will gain with Air New Zealand’s strengthened network in mind. It is well known for its innovative contributions to the world in fields of agriculture, technology, and tourism. The new flights could mean more collaborations, meetings and small step businesses for Indians in New Zealand.
Furthermore, the growing proximity serves to promote exchanges in cultural fields. Cultural links between India and New Zealand have been increasing in recent years with the countries home to vibrant Indian communities. This has resulted in greater people to people relationships, academic cooperation and cultural activities. More flights would also make it easier for Indians to come to New Zealand for cultural festivals, art exhibitions and educational events, as well as encouraging more reciprocal visits from this side of the Tasman to India.
Infrastructure for Tourism and Sustainable Travels
New Zealand’s economy has long depended on tourism. New Zealand’s struggling hospitality, travel and retail sectors can expect a boost from Indian tourists. While travel to such nice places is more affordable, Indian tourists can visit sightseeing places as Hobbiton Movie Set, geothermal areas of Rotorua, Milford Sound, and the Tongariro National Park. Moreover, additional travel between the two countries will be a boon for local businesses like tour companies, hotels and restaurants that have depended on foreign visitors.
The surge in tourists is also an opportunity for New Zealand to build on its brand as a leader in sustainable travel. New Zealand is the leader in protecting the nature and sustainable tourism. The tourism industry has been trying to find a balance between new visitors and preservation of its natural beauty. As Air New Zealand works to make travel more considerate, the airline has challenged the tourism industry to follow in its footsteps and live up to its commitment to promote tourism responsibly, learn, educate and support democratic initiatives by showing respect for the land and the natural environment.
The Importance of Tourism in Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The enhanced tourism growth induced by heightened connectivity historically was to bolster bilateral ties between the two countries. India and New Zealand have shared common stance on global issues concerning environmental sustainability, economic development and education. More people to people exchanges will be facilitated as the travel increases, providing more understanding, cooperation and partnerships in its multitude.
Promotion of Diplomatic and Cultural Relations: Tourism also serves as an effective way of promoting diplomatic and cultural relations. With a few clicks, our people can meet and learn from one another, do business, or just enjoy a holiday in each other’s country, and enhance their empathy and understanding, as China and Australia continue to enhance their partnership in commerce, science, education, etc.
Reservation Tips and Travel Information for Indian Tourists
Tourists on India to New Zealand routes can book their tickets to New Zealand directly through Air New Zealand’s official website or authorized travel agents. The airline provides a spectrum of seating choices, including the Budget and Premium cabins, to match flyer’s budgets and tastes. Travelers can also earn loyalty program frequent flyer miles through the airline to make the journey more rewarding.
If you are planning a trip to New Zealand, then it is important for you to know about the visa requirements for Indian passport holders. Indian tourists need to apply for a visa if they opt to visit New Zealand and they can do it online or through New Zealand Visa Application Centres (VAC). Visa should be secured not later than the desired date of travel to the UAE.
Conclusion
This is a welcome movement in the world when it comes to tourism. With both providing a vivid contrast, the new flights will help to deliver substantial leisure, business and cultural travel prospects. Increased travel will boost India’s and New Zealand’s tourism sectors, and also help in promoting responsible travel in strengthening relations between the two countries. With an increasing number of Indian tourists undertaking trips to New Zealand, the natural beauty of the country, adventure activities and cultural experiences will always be major attractions for the tourists.
The MEA asked Indians in Nepal to follow the local safety advisories from the Nepal authorities as well as the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. File
| Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStock Photo
In the wake of unrest in Nepal, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday (September 10, 2025) released a travel advisory, with helpline numbers, for the Indians living in Nepal.
The MEA asked the Indians in Nepal to defer travel there until the situation has stabilised. “Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise all due caution,” the Ministry said in its advisory.
The Ministry asked them to follow the local safety advisories from the Nepal authorities as well as the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.
“In case of any assistance required, please call the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, on the following helpline numbers: 977 – 980 860 2881; 977 – 981 032 6134,” it said.
Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Tuesday (September 9, 2025) resigned as Gen Z-led protests escalated in Kathmandu and other parts of the country for the second consecutive day. Pressure had been mounting on Mr. Oli to step down, after 19 people, mostly young, were killed on Monday (September 8) when police fired rubber bullets and live ammunition at demonstrations launched by Nepal’s youth, who were demanding an end to corruption, nepotism, favouritism, and misgovernance. As many as 400 were reported injured.
India has said it was deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives during the protests in Nepal and expressed the hope that the issues would be resolved through peaceful means.
Air India, IndiGo and Nepal Airlines cancelled their flights from Delhi to Kathmandu on Tuesday (September 9) amid the anti-government protests.
Kesari MICE, a specialised division of Kesari Tours based in Pune, has built a strong presence in the Indian tourism industry with its innovative approach and comprehensive corporate travel solutions. Under the leadership of Zelam Chaubal, Director, Kesari MICE, the company adheres to a customer-first philosophy, shaping the future of corporate travel and events in India. Zelam shares key trends and insights on how Kesari MICE delivers services that give the company a competitive edge in the global arena.
Kesari MICE provides personalised end-to-end service packages that cover every aspect of a corporate event, from pre-event preparations to post-event settlements. Its experienced professionals bring fresh, theme-based ideas for meetings, incentives, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, trade fairs, tournaments, and even educational tours for students.
Seamless End-to-End MICE Management
Once a client outlines basic requirements and finalises a destination, corporate tour experts step in to manage everything else. From travel and accommodation to entertainment and event coordination, the team ensures seamless execution at every stage. Backed by industry experience, meticulous planning, and research-based strategies, Kesari MICE guarantees smooth operations and optimised outcomes for every programme.
Scaling New Heights
Zelam explains that 2025 has been a landmark year for the company. Speaking about the latest developments and projects that the company has been able to achieve this year, Zelam said, “This has been a milestone year for us, with a larger number of groups and a big breakthrough in larger events. This year is significant because we expanded our groups to Australia, Europe, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, in addition to our routine trips to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. We are also proud to have corporates from various industries. From the event space, we could manage larger events in London, Paris, Malta, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Baku, Thailand, Abu Dhabi, Lonavala, Goa, Jaipur, and Dubai under Kesari Events, and it was a great success.”
Emerging Destinations Driving MICE Growth
According to Zelam, the demand for Indian MICE has grown drastically, which is a significant change they have observed. While Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru remain the leaders in the domestic market, other cities are quickly emerging as hotspots. She also said, “Nainital, Himachal, and Rajasthan, mainly Jaipur and Udaipur, and also Hyderabad, Kochi, and Surat, are gaining traction within India. Internationally, Vietnam, Baku (before the war), Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, and even South America are being considered as elite corporate MICE destinations. At the same time, demand for newer international destinations has grown. Baku, Vietnam, Malta, Abu Dhabi, etc., are a few of these examples.”
Challenges and Opportunities
Zelam identifies pressing challenges around visas, airline capacity, and skilled manpower. She mentioned, “Getting visa appointments for some countries and in-time visas, airline seats for last-minute confirmations, and skilled people are a few of the challenges. Indian MICE requires better infrastructure, which is improving, but hindrances still prevail. Indian corporates should confirm business much in advance, as the Western world does, to secure better prices and ensure smooth functioning. There is an excellent opportunity as newer MICE destinations are rapidly emerging. Many new airlines are entering the Indian market, and as connectivity improves, so does the MICE sector. Additionally, many countries implement incentive schemes to attract MICE to their country, which helps determine the destination. In the coming years, AI will help fast-forward MICE for the better.”
Staying Competitive
For Kesari MICE, the focus remains on delivering customer delight through innovation. “Today’s MICE is very competitive, but is the customer experience delightful? We are focusing on strategic innovation, leveraging AI to enhance the overall customer experience within our business. Whatever MICE event we host, we ensure that every minute detail is taken care of, so every event is 100 per cent successful. Our top priority is customer experience,” noted Zelam.
Strengthening India’s MICE Ecosystem
Zelam underlines the importance of a collective approach to strengthen India’s position as a global MICE destination. She stresses the role of government and industry bodies in creating the right ecosystem for growth.
“To develop Indian MICE, government bodies should develop infrastructure, have a collective strategy focusing on developing and attracting MICE in the country, and promote India as a MICE destination with collaboration between the public and private sectors. We need a strong national MICE brand, convention bureaus at the state levels, and incentives, along with streamlined regulations and supportive policies for MICE organisers. Promoting sustainable and responsible tourism will enhance India’s MICE destination appeal,” concluded Zelam.
