Air New Zealand to Fly Auckland- Beijing Direct

Air New Zealand has announced its intention to operate a direct service between Auckland and Beijing from 18 July 2008, Chief Executive Officer

Rob Fyfe said today.

Mr Fyfe announced the new service whilst in Beijing for a Star Alliance meeting.

The new non-stop service, which is subject to all the necessary regulatory and operating approvals by Chinese authorities, will operate twice a week using Air New Zealand’s new Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.

Flights will operate out of Auckland on Wednesday and Friday and out of Beijing on Thursday and Saturday.

Mr Fyfe says the new non-stop service will build on the enormous success of Air New Zealand’s non-stop Auckland-Shanghai service, launched in November 2006.

“Chinese visitor numbers to New Zealand continue to boom, increasing approximately 14% year-on-year, and its rapidly developing economy offers significant potential for both Air New Zealand and the broader New Zealand tourism industry. The new service is part of the airline’s continued drive to expand our presence in mainland China, and we expect it to generate a high level of interest.”

Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline Ed Sims says the new service will allow Air New Zealand to increase its footprint in China by tapping into the vast number of customers transiting through Beijing Capital International Airport, which handles around 1300 flights a day.


“Our direct Shanghai service was primarily aimed to serve its 17 million citizens. By offering a direct service to Beijing we expect to gain a greater number of customers looking to travel to New Zealand from other parts of China, and from Europe. It will also provide Kiwis with an easy and convenient way to travel deeper into China,” he says.

Mr Sims says that Kiwis looking for a new experience in Asia will be wowed by Beijing’s culture and heritage.

“With thousands of years of culture at every turn, Beijing also offers some of the world’s most visited attractions, including the Great Wall and the famed Forbidden City, alongside the most contemporary architecture, shopping and food.”

Mr Sims expects strong demand from Kiwis for the new service, which is ideally timed to coincide with the 2008 Beijing Olympics from 8-24 August 2008.

Air New Zealand has committed publicly to opening up one new long-haul route a year as part of its long-term growth strategy. Last month the airline launched its new direct service between Vancouver and Auckland, following the successful introduction of non-stop services including Auckland-San Francisco, Auckland-Shanghai and Hong Kong-London.

Mr Sims says that operating into two destinations in China will position Air New Zealand well for continued growth in the market.

With the launch of the new service two days a week into Beijing, services into Shanghai will revert to the original schedule of three services a week until November 2008. From November the airline plans to operate five services a week to Shanghai plus the two Beijing flights.

“We believe this is the right mix to enable us to realise our growth ambitions in China, opening up Destination New Zealand to a massive new group of travellers,” says Mr Sims.

Fares for the new direct service will be on sale from today, with lead-in economy fares starting from $1959 return (exclusive of airport and other taxes).

Timings for the new service will be designed to meet the needs of both business and leisure customers in both China and New Zealand.

The service is intended to depart New Zealand late evening arriving in Beijing early to mid morning. It is expected to depart Beijing at lunchtime to arrive into Auckland early in the morning, providing customers with a full day and access to early connections to other parts of the country.

The non-stop flight is approximately 14 hours from Auckland to Beijing and 13 hours 15 minutes return to Auckland (the difference being due to winds).