Air New Zealands non-stop service to Beijing takes off

Today will see the departure of Air New Zealand’s first non-stop service between Auckland and Beijing.
Onboard Air New Zealand’s Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, which departs Auckland at 9.20pm, Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe will host guests from the tourism industry as well as media, business and political VIPs.

The 280 passengers travelling on the inaugural service will be treated to pre-flight celebrations in the departure gate lounge, a special menu in-flight designed by Wellington based Air New Zealand consultant chef Rex Morgan representing a ‘fusion of two cultures’ and champagne to celebrate the occasion.

Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline Ed Sims says the direct Beijing service makes some of China’s most popular tourist attractions, such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City, even more accessible to New Zealand leisure travellers.

“Our Shanghai service has been very successful since we launched it in November 2006 and we’re looking forward to Beijing building to a similar level. It expands on our increasingly close relationship with China, providing us and the whole of the New Zealand tourism industry the chance to take a slice of the Chinese market,” says Mr Sims.

“The direct services will also help to promote New Zealand as a single holiday destination, rather than being an add-on to Australia. Last year 64 per cent of Chinese arrivals came to New Zealand via Australia.”

Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor says the new service will benefit New Zealand tourism.
"I welcome the new direct flight from Auckland to Beijing and congratulate Air New Zealand on developing this new service. It comes off the back of increasing government investment in marketing New Zealand in this very important, long term Chinese market.”

China is already a rich source of visitors to New Zealand. It is New Zealand's fourth largest market and one of the fastest-growing. In the year to May 2008, 125,424 Chinese visited New Zealand, up 10,000 visitors on the previous year.

With a population of 1.32 billion people whose personal incomes are rising between 10-15% each year, close to 40 million Chinese travelled overseas last year.

Long-term prices for the non-stop service start (ex Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch) from $2250 (excluding airport taxes).

A special Beijing fare is available from $1569 (excluding airport taxes) ex Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Sales end 31 July 2008 for travel commenced before 19 November 2008.

Air New Zealand services from Auckland to Beijing operate on Wednesdays and Fridays with the return flights operating on Thursday and Saturdays.