Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) CEO Akbar Al Baker has criticised Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland International) over its decision to end a special prorate agreement (SPA) with the Gulf carrier, suggesting that New Zealand's Star Alliance members pressured it to do so, reports NZ news site Stuff. But Air New Zealand has hit back, saying that the deal had been very limited and only covered two routes.

Al Baker made his comments while in New Zealand to celebrate Qatar Airways' maiden voyage to the country (which also marked the world's longest commercial flight). At a press conference, Al Baker said that Air New Zealand withdrew from the agreement because it felt threatened by Qatar Airways' presence in the market.

"As we promote New Zealand to the outside world the national carrier would want to be part of this," Al Baker said. "But unfortunately, being pressured from their bigger alliance partners, have withdrawn the SPA which means we can’t really connect the people of New Zealand to the large international network that we so wanted."

A spokesperson for Air New Zealand countered Al Baker's claim that the SPA was 'long-standing' stating that it was only signed in 2013. New Zealand Ministry of Transport documents suggest that it was signed in March 2014. The agreement covered routes from Auckland International to Wellington and Christchurch and was withdrawn last year.

"Air New Zealand has a number of commercial arrangements with partner airlines and is under no obligation to offer preferred rates to competitors," the spokesperson is reported as saying.