Exclusive fare to celebrate China Southern daily flights

Media Release
18 November 2011

Exclusive business class fares to China and Europe to celebrate
China Southern Airlines daily flights
Return to Europe from $NZ3,836 business class and from $NZ1,739 economy

China Southern Airlines today announced stand-out business class fares to China and Europe to mark the launch of its daily service between Auckland and Guangzhou at a special ceremony hosted by Auckland Airport, and attended by the Minister of Trade, Hon. Tim Groser.

Fares to Amsterdam and Paris via Guangzhou range from $NZ1,739 (including taxes) for economy, to $NZ3,836 for business class. For travellers interested in staying in Southern China, the return economy flights to Guangzhou are $NZ1,210, with connections to Shanghai and Beijing an additional $NZ132.

According to Kevin Bowler, Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand, the launch of the daily service with celebratory fares is a great opportunity for travellers – in both directions.

“There is solid interest from Chinese travellers to visit our beautiful country, and this service supports our projections of the dramatic rise in the number of Chinese visitors over the coming years. It will have a significant, positive impact on our travel industry. The new daily service will also offer Kiwis the opportunity to broaden their horizons and visit new, exciting places and experience the diverse culture in China.”

At the Auckland ceremony, Minister Groser highlighted the importance of direct links to China from a trade perspective, a point emphasised by Auckland Airport’s General Manager Aeronautical Commercial Glenn Wedlock.

“The daily service to Guangzhou is not only important for tourism, it also opens up many possibilities for trade and high-value export, and it helps drive significant additional economic activity for New Zealand," says Mr Wedlock.

“China is already our second largest trading partner, and increased air services and direct routes to rapidly expanding economic hubs like Guangzhou are essential if we as a nation are to access this booming market.”

The daily services will mean an additional 90,000 passenger seats each year between the two cities, bringing with it an estimated $NZ100 million for our tourism industry.

China Southern Airlines is based in Guangzhou, formerly Canton, China’s third largest city, which serves as a hub to its extensive route network of 121 destinations. The airline is the third largest in the world in terms of passengers, and Asia’s largest airline as measured by fleet and passenger numbers.

The special business class fares to Europe are available from today until 31 December and economy fares from today until 20 December, with departure to take place 22-24 January, 8 February to 31 March and 16 April to 30 June next year. The economy return fare from Auckland to Guangzhou will be on offer for an extended period of time, while $NZ4,051 (including taxes) business class flights are only available until 31 December 2011 – both can be used anytime in 2012. These special deals are available through www.destinationchina.co.nz or your local travel agent.

Flight time from Auckland to Guangzhou is approximately 11.5 hours.

ENDS

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