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.
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.”
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).
Air Transport News
Login
