"No job cuts but 200 more engineering jobs, mainly in Christchurch."
IMHO, that SHOULD read, "no job cuts in engineering for Air N.Z. staff." My guess is that will probably be a re-location for some of the AKL based maintenance staff (to CHC), and the transfer of considerably more jobs from the Main Island to the South Island, by QANTAS.
"Air NZ and Qantas retain own brands but codeshare on routes in New Zealand, Australia, across the Tasman..".
Read, "a reduction in the overall frequency of services". Whereas QF and TE currently COMPETE for pax, across the Ditch, they will now ensure that with LESS services, ALL flights are filled to capacity.
"And if you don't like our service - TOUGH! You can always swim."
"Missed your flight? It appears we have a spare seat in about 2 months, if you are prepared to pay our Premium fare."
"Air NZ manages all Qantas and Air NZ trans-Tasman and New Zealand domestic services, including pricing and scheduling. "
Air New Zealand have ALWAYS been the more expensive of the two, when travelling Oz-N.Z. As is the case with most airlines, tickets are cheaper when purchased in the operating airline's country of origin, therefore this will mean that either:
(a)Australians end up paying MORE than Kiwis for the same flights, in the same seat, on the same aircraft, or,
(b)Kiwis will have to pay MORE than they currently do (because of the difference between the AUD vs NZD.
In addition, Air New Zealand's scheduling (which is often 737's as opposed to QF's 767's) is SHOCKING, flights departing either VERY EARLY morning (eg, 0630 CHC-BNE...meaning a 0430 check in!!), or arriving VERY LATE - after midnight.
It doesn't matter HOW you look at it, services between the main cities in Australia and N.Z. are going to be operated under a MONOPOLISTIC situation!!
Although the deal is going to ensure Air New Zealand's survival, and the strengthening of QANTAS, there WILL be some "rationalising" (a reduction in frequencies of service, and the inevitable future loss of jobs), it is going to cost Australians and Kiwis MORE - for less.