Air New Zealand Limited (NZSE:AIR) has responded to speculation of a merger deal with former alliance partner Virgin Australia Holdings Limited. The Kiwi airline said in an NZX statement on 16 September 2022 "that it has not been approached, and is not in discussions with any parties, regarding a potential merger transaction". The Australian on 16 September 2022 reported that Virgin Australia's owner Bain Capital held recent discussion with Air New Zealand about a merger of the two airlines.

The two were closely linked before, with Air NZ holding a 19.9% equity stake. And they had a close operating alliance before an acrimonious bust-up five years ago. A Virgin Australia spokesperson said on 16 September 2022: "We are declining to comment on this matter".

However The Australian quotes sources who said investment banks Jarden and Goldman Sachs were offering help on possible plans, including a deal with Australian regional carrier Rex. "Sources say that discussions have been held between New Zealand's national carrier and Virgin in recent weeks, although they do not suggest that the pair have necessarily progressed towards a deal at this stage," The Australian reported.