TCS signs deal with Air New Zealand to shore up digital infrastructure

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) has signed a five-year deal with Air New Zealand to modernize the latter’s digital infrastructure and deploy artificial intelligence-driven innovation to help the airline gain an edge, a statement said.

The collaboration aims to enhance Air New Zealand’s digital capabilities, improve customer experience, and drive operational efficiencies across verticals, including fleet management, crew scheduling, and ground services, TCS said.

“The deal, announced at a formal signing event at TCS’ Banyan Park Campus in Mumbai, supports Air New Zealand’s vision to become the world’s most digitally advanced airline,” TCS said in the statement.

The event was attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Tata group chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Air New Zealand chief executive officer Greg Foran, and TCS chief executive officer and managing director K. Krithivasan.

The tie-up strengthens TCS’ commitment to New Zealand, where it has helped lead a digital transformation for over 37 years, it said.

With an office in Auckland and a team of 460 professionals, TCS serves more than 20 customers in the region across banking, retail, construction, manufacturing, and local government.

Through the TCS Co-Innovation Network, the organization works closely with top universities in New Zealand to advance research in cybersecurity, sustainability, and AI.

TCS also led the development of the Asia Pacific Digital Sustainability Index in 2022, shaping the region’s approach to sustainable digital transformation.

“Leveraging TCS’ expertise in cutting-edge technologies will help us enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and reinforce our commitment to cybersecurity and data protection,” Air New Zealand chief executive officer Greg Foran said.

This collaboration aligns with our vision to be a digitally enabled airline of the future. We began working with TCS in September 2024, and in just a few short months, we’ve seen the benefits of tapping into the depth and breadth of talent and expertise they have when it comes to digital solutions,” Foran said.

“Going forward, TCS will be an instrumental partner in helping us deliver our cargo digital transformation and improve our digital retail capability,” he added.

“We are excited to partner with Air New Zealand in its journey to become a digitally advanced airline. With our aviation expertise and ability to drive large-scale innovation, TCS will enable Air New Zealand to set new benchmarks for efficiency, sustainability, and customer engagement,” TCS chief executive officer and managing director K. Krithivasan said.

“We aim to reimagine operations, enhance passenger experiences, and build a more agile and resilient airline by leveraging AI, automation, and cloud technologies,” he added.

Air New Zealand flies more than 15 million passengers annually on over 3,400 weekly flights.

This transformation marks a significant step in Air New Zealand’s commitment to secure, innovative, and technology-driven experiences for travelers worldwide. TCS

The partnership will help streamline Air New Zealand’s digital services across 600 applications by integrating AI-driven automation and cloud technologies into critical airline functions, the statement added.