China Eastern Airlines have mounted year-round flights between Auckland and Shanghai and Auckland is rejoicing.
The year-round service started September 26, 2015 with four flights per week and from January 2016, it will increase to daily flights. In total, the new year-round service adds 175,000 permanent seats on the route and is expected to contribute an estimated NZ$212 million (US$134 million) to the New Zealand economy.
“The commencement of China Eastern Airlines’ year-round service is great news and evidence of the strong growth in air connectivity between New Zealand and China in recent years,” said Norris Carter, Auckland Airport’s general manager aeronautical commercial.
“China Eastern Airlines’ service expansion will deliver new travel market opportunities from mainland China, via Shanghai, especially for tourists seeking premium travel experiences in New Zealand,” added Carter.