Mon 21 Jan 2008
Posted by Travelman under Other Reviews
No Comments | 55 views
Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe announced the new service in Beijing today, and told NZPA the direct service would operate from July 18.
The service, subject to all necessary Chinese regulatory and operating approvals, would operate out of Auckland on Wednesday and Friday and out of Beijing on Thursday and Saturday using the airline's new Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.
Mr Fyfe said the new service would build on the success of the airline's Auckland-Shanghai service, launched in November 2006.
"Chinese visitor numbers to New Zealand continue to boom, increasing approximately 14 per cent 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 was part of the airline's push to expand its presence in mainland China, and was expected to generate a high level of interest, he said.
To provide sufficient capacity for the Beijing flights, the airline will cut its Auckland Shanghai service to three times a week until November 2008.
Mr Fyfe said from November next year the airline planned to operate five services a week to Shanghai, plus the two Beijing flights.
Improved fuel efficiency from its new planes and a more fuel efficient route to China allowed the airline to offer the service.
Group general manager international airline Ed Sims said the new service would 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 handled 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 said.
Mr Fyfe expected strong demand from New Zealanders as it coincided with the Beijing Olympics which run from August 8-24.
Mr Fyfe said the new service was expected to be value accretive, and did not involve significant expenditure as the company was using its assets more efficiently and taking advantage of any spare capacity.