Air New Zealand is restarting daily flights to Shanghai.
New Zealand’s national carrier said daily flights to Shanghai, and Air China’s decision to restart the Beijing-Auckland route, were major milestones for the airline and New Zealand’s tourist industry as capacity to and from China ramps up.
China was one of New Zealand’s most important tourist markets, but 2020 saw flights from China suspended after the New Zealand government put in border restrictions barring foreign travellers that came from, or had transited through, China.
In 2019 Chinese tourists accounted for 15% of total visitor spending in New Zealand.
Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty said China was a key market for the airline, and the New Zealand tourism industry.
“The return of this route will help connect even more Chinese visitors with the amazing experiences New Zealand has to offer.”
She said the two services from Air China and Air New Zealand would deliver about 6,500 seats a week between Auckland and China.
“Pre-pandemic, China was New Zealand's second-largest international visitor market, with 450,000 visitors in 2019 and one of the most valuable in terms of holiday visitor spend, bringing in $1.5 billion.”
The resumption of the Beijing-Auckland route was part of a strategic alliance between Air New Zealand and Air China.
Geraghty said the partnership with Air China would help to stimulate tourism in New Zealand, and aid the industry’s recovery.
“China is an incredibly important inbound visitor markets, and we expect interest in visiting New Zealand to continue to grow among Chinese travellers. Our strategic alliance with Air China provides additional capacity and improved connectivity, helping us to meet demand and showcase New Zealand as a world-class tourism destination.”
This alliance between the airlines meant customers of both can earn reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, earning and spending loyalty points and lounge access.
Geraghty said Air New Zealand customers would also have access to Air China's network of more than 300 routes, while Air China customers had access to New Zealand destinations and its Pacific network.
A China Market Update from New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade's Consulate-General in Shanghai said travel between New Zealand and China was picking up again following China’s borders reopening, and visa processing on both sides was ramping up.
Tourism NZ chief executive René de Monchy said the reopening and recovery of New Zealand's second-most valuable visitor market is great news.
Chinese leadership abandoned its strict zero-Covid policy in December.
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