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China Southern expands Pacific network through Virgin Australia codeshare
March 9th 2026
China Southern Airlines (CSA) is adding more options for its customers to travel to the South Pacific through codeshare agreements with Virgin Australia (VA) which have been approved by Australia’s International Air Services Commission (IASC). Read More » As part of the agreement, CSA will add its CZ airline code on all VA-operated flights between Australia and N.Z., as well as between Australia and Vanuatu. The codeshare agreement is on a free sale basis. Currently, VA flies from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to Queenstown in N.Z., and from Brisbane to Port Vila in Vanuatu. The IASC, which manages Australia’s air traffic rights, said in its decision to approve both applications the proposed codeshare arrangements were expected to provide passengers with additional options and greater choice between China, Australia and N.Z., as well as Vanuatu. "The arrangement does not reduce or increase the number of operating carriers on the route, and it does not restrict competition between the Australian carriers, Virgin Australia and Qantas," the IASC said in its decision on the Australia-N.Z. codeshare. CSA flies up to 21 flights a week between Mainland China and N.Z., as well as up to 74 flights a week to Australia. It also has a codeshare agreement with Qantas Airways on Australia-N.Z. routes, the IASC noted.
