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The new non-stop service will operate twice a week using Air New Zealand's new Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.
Flights will operate out of Beijing on Thursday and Saturday and out of Auckland on Wednesday and Friday.
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."
Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline Ed Sims says the new service will 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 53.47 million passengers in 2007.
New direct service will operate at the new dragon-shaped Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport alongside other Star Alliance members.
"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 says.
Mr Sims says that Kiwis looking for a new experience in Asia will be wowed by Beijing's culture and heritage.
"With thousands of years of culture at every turn, Beijing also offers some of the world's most visited attractions, including the Great Wall and the famed Forbidden City, alongside the most contemporary architecture, shopping and food."
Mr Sims expects strong demand from Kiwis for the new service, which is ideally timed to coincide with the 2008 Beijing Olympics from 8-24 August 2008. In addition, the recent signing and implementation of the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will further drive demand and bring both countries closer to together.
Air New Zealand has committed publicly to opening up one new long-haul route a year as part of its long-term growth strategy. Last year the airline launched its new direct service between Vancouver and Auckland, following the successful introduction of non-stop services including Auckland-San Francisco, Auckland-Shanghai and Hong Kong-London.
Mr Sims says that operating into two destinations in China will position Air New Zealand well for continued growth in the market.
With the launch of the new service two days a week into Beijing, services into Shanghai will revert to the original schedule of three services a week until December 2008. From December the airline plans to operate four services a week to Shanghai and three Beijing flights.
"We believe this is the right mix to enable us to realise our growth ambitions in China, opening up Destination New Zealand to a massive new group of travellers," says Mr Sims.
Fares for the new direct service are on sale, with an economy launch special available for sale until 30 June from RMB 9,310 return (including taxes and surcharges). This launch special is available for travel between 19 July to 14 December 2008.
Timings for the new service have been designed to meet the needs of both business and leisure customers in both China and New Zealand.
The service will depart Beijing at lunchtime to arrive into Auckland early in the morning, and depart New Zealand late evening arriving in Beijing early to mid morning, providing customers with a full day and access to early connections to other parts of the country.
The non-stop flight is approximately 13 hours 15 minutes from Beijing to Auckland and 14 hours on the return from Auckland to Beijing (the difference being due to winds).
ENDS
About Air New Zealand
Founded in 1940, Air New Zealand (NZX: AIR and ASX: AIZ) is an international airline group which provides air passenger and cargo transport services within New Zealand, as well as to and from Asia Pacific, North America and the United Kingdom. The airline also encompasses business units providing engineering and ground handling services. Subsidiaries extend to booking systems, travel wholesaling and retailing services. Air New Zealand is a member of Star Alliance, the world's largest airline alliance connecting 965 destinations in 162 countries.
In 2008, Air New Zealand was recognized as the World's Best Passenger Service at the Air Transport Magazine awards, one of the leading global aviation industry awards.
In Mainland China, Air New Zealand operates three direct flight services between Shanghai and Auckland. This year Air New Zealand will extend its direct service between Beijing and Auckland from 19 July 2008. Beijing-Auckland direct service will operate twice a week using Air New Zealand's new Boeing 777-200ER aircraft and will increase to three services per week later in November.
In Hong Kong, Air New Zealand operates nine services to Auckland and seven services to London per week.
 |
| |
Flight |
|
Origin |
|
Destination |
|
Departure |
|
Arrival |
|
Frequency |
|
|
|
| |
NZ 38 |
|
London |
|
Hong Kong |
|
2115 |
|
1700 next day |
|
Daily |
|
|
|
|
| |
Hong Kong |
|
Auckland |
|
1900 |
|
1045 next day |
|
Daily |
|
|
|
|
| |
NZ 39 |
|
Auckland |
|
Hong Kong |
|
2355 |
|
0615 next day |
|
Daily |
|
|
|
|
| |
Hong Kong |
|
London |
|
0815 |
|
1335 |
|
Daily |
|
|
|
|
| |
NZ 81 |
|
Auckland |
|
Hong Kong |
|
1155 |
|
1835 |
|
Fri, Sun |
|
|
|
|
| |
NZ 82 |
|
Hong Kong |
|
Auckland |
|
2240 |
|
1445 next day |
|
Fri, Sun |
|
|
|
|
| |
NZ 88 |
|
Shanghai |
|
Auckland |
|
1415 |
|
0650 next day |
|
Tue, Fri, Sun |
|
|
|
|
| |
NZ 89 |
|
Auckland |
|
Shanghai |
|
2345 |
|
0710 next day |
|
Mon, Thu, Sat |
|
|
|
|
| |
NZ 86 |
|
Beijing* |
|
Auckland |
|
1230 |
|
0545 next day |
|
Thu, Sat |
|
|
|
|
| |
NZ 87 |
|
Auckland* |
|
Beijing |
|
2315 |
|
0915 next day |
|
Wed, Fri |
|
|
|
*Beijing services will commence on 19 July 2008 (schedule times subject to change).
For more information, please visit Air New Zealand China website at http://www.airnewzealand.com.cn/
Issued by Fleishman-Hillard on behalf of Air New Zealand.
Contact:
Echo Li at Fleishman-Hillard Shanghai on 86 21 6407 0066 - 825
Vivid Li at Fleishman-Hillard Shanghai on 86 21 6407 0066 -826 |
