Credit: Original article can be found here
For the first time since the pandemic, long-haul flights
between Auckland and North America are set to exceed 2019
levels, with a planned 11 per cent increase in flight
numbers to those destinations next summer, compared to
pre-pandemic.
Scott Tasker, Chief Customer Officer at
Auckland Airport, said: “The upcoming Kiwi summer season
is going to see the highest level of long-haul flights,
airlines and seats, since summer 2019. We’re thrilled to
not only be returning to pre-pandemic levels but also
planning to surpass them with our North American routes, as
we continue to rebuild connectivity.
“In total, this
summer we’re planning on having seven airlines flying
non-stop from Auckland to eight destinations in North
America.”
Auckland Airport is set to have four
airlines running direct flights to and from Los Angeles for
the summer season (Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Delta
Air Lines and United Airlines), offering unprecedented
capacity and airline choice for Kiwis heading to North
America as well as inbound visitors from the United
States.
Further to the north, Air Canada has also
announced a 20 per cent expansion of capacity on its summer
seasonal air route between Vancouver and
Auckland.
From September 2023 onwards, Qatar Airways
is set to resume daily non-stop flights to and from Doha to
Auckland. The Doha to Auckland route is the third longest
non-stop route in the world and will be operated using Qatar
Airways’ Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. Qatar Airways has a
vast global network of over 140 destinations, including 39
in the United Kingdom and Europe.
“This is big news
and gives Kiwis more airline options for travel to
destinations globally,” Tasker added. “These additional
flights will provide increased connectivity for New
Zealanders to reach the popular gateway cities of Los
Angeles, Vancouver and Doha. We’re going to see more kiwis
flying the nest this year and in turn, a strong boost for
local tourism.
“New Zealand is highly appealing as a
travel destination for visitors around the
world.”
Kiwis not only have their sights set on
North America and Doha. Demand is also increasing for travel
to and from China.
“Before Covid, China was the
second-largest source of visitors coming to New Zealand, and
now with the Chinese borders open for international
travellers, flights are quickly resuming,” Mr Tasker
said.
With the recent announcement of a return to
Auckland Airport by Air China on 2 May from Beijing to
Auckland, and with Hainan Airlines also set to return on 17
June on the Shenzhen to Auckland route, Auckland Airport is
set to have 27 flights per week operated by five airlines
(Air China, Air New Zealand, China Eastern Airlines, China
Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines), to four cities in
mainland China.**
“It’s great news for Kiwis
travelling to China to reconnect with family and friends,
leisure travel, business as well as connecting beyond the
Chinese airline hubs to the rest of the world. Having direct
flights to key Chinese cities, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai,
Shenzhen, also means New Zealand is an attractive and
competitive destination as a one flight stop for Chinese
visitors.
“Overall, we’re delighted with the shape
of the recovery. New Zealand is now well and truly connected
again across the globe, giving kiwis a multitude of options
for where they want to go, and importantly, it’s easier
for visitors to reach our corner of the
world.”