Auckland Airport welcomes Air NZ and Air China alliance

Auckland Airport welcomes Air New Zealand and Air China alliance

Air New Zealand and Air China have announced further details of their proposed alliance on services between China and New Zealand.

Norris Carter, Auckland Airport’s general manager aeronautical commercial, says he welcomes the development of the proposed alliance, which would see Air China introduce a daily direct service between Beijing and Auckland.

“This proposed alliance, which is subject to regulatory approvals, between Air New Zealand and Air China is great news for the New Zealand tourism industry as it will bring substantial capacity growth and improved connectivity with China,” says Mr Carter.

“Auckland Airport estimates that the introduction of a new Auckland to Beijing daily service will contribute an additional $200 million in tourism spend to the New Zealand economy.”

“The alliance will immediately increase the number of direct air services we have with China, one of New Zealand’s fastest growing tourism markets. Overall Chinese passenger arrivals increased by 14.1 per cent when comparing the year ending December 2014 to the year ending December 2013. Pleasingly this also reflects the accelerating shift of the Chinese visitor market to the higher value free independent traveller segments away from lower cost tours. This has been a very positive change for the New Zealand tourism industry,” continues Mr Carter.

“As well as this, the Auckland to Beijing service will connect New Zealand directly with China’s capital city, providing important new governmental links.”

“We have been working with both carriers to support the launch of this proposed alliance and we look forward to continuing to assist with its development,” finishes Mr Carter.

ENDS

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