QF NB
Oct 13, 05, 5:06 pm
Air New Zealand has applied (http://www.nzx.com/market/market_announcements/by_company?id=122113) to the New Zealand Ministry of Transport for the necessary regulatory approvals to commence non-stop flights between Auckland and Shanghai.
The airline will also shortly apply to relevant Chinese authorities as well as seek landing slots at Shanghai's Pudong Airport.
"Under current bilateral agreements New Zealand airlines have rights to operate up to seven return services per week to China," says Air New Zealand Group General Manager Marketing, Network and Sales, Norm Thompson.
"Because Air New Zealand is seeking to fly to a new country, the process to gain the regulatory approvals will take approximately six months. Our expectations are that we will begin selling fares from early-mid next year, with services to commence towards the end of 2006."
Air New Zealand will seek approval for a service operating three times per week utilising new Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.
The 313 seat aircraft includes 26 lie-flat Business Premier seats, 18 Pacific Premium Economy seats and 269 seats in Pacific Economy.
Flight duration northbound will be approximately 12 hours 45 minutes, with the flight south taking approximately 11 hours and 45 minutes.
"A great deal of work has taken place over the past twelve months to evaluate the feasibility of Auckland-Shanghai as a new route option. Our desires to fly to the region have been well documented and we are pleased to now get the process formally underway after completing our market feasibility studies."
More than 84,000 people visited New Zealand from China for the year ending December 2004, up 28% on 2003. In addition, more than 45,000 Kiwis travelled to China over the same period, up 38% on 2003. China is now the fifth most visited country behind Australia, Fiji, USA and UK.
Tourism Research Council of New Zealand forecasts predict substantial inbound growth over the next few years building to more than 110,000 arrivals from China in 2007 and up to 188,000 in 2011.*
"If the service becomes as successful as we expect it will be, we look forward to increasing to daily flights in the longer term," says Mr Thompson.
Airfares and flight schedules will be announced once the relative regulatory approvals have been gained next year.
The airline will also shortly apply to relevant Chinese authorities as well as seek landing slots at Shanghai's Pudong Airport.
"Under current bilateral agreements New Zealand airlines have rights to operate up to seven return services per week to China," says Air New Zealand Group General Manager Marketing, Network and Sales, Norm Thompson.
"Because Air New Zealand is seeking to fly to a new country, the process to gain the regulatory approvals will take approximately six months. Our expectations are that we will begin selling fares from early-mid next year, with services to commence towards the end of 2006."
Air New Zealand will seek approval for a service operating three times per week utilising new Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.
The 313 seat aircraft includes 26 lie-flat Business Premier seats, 18 Pacific Premium Economy seats and 269 seats in Pacific Economy.
Flight duration northbound will be approximately 12 hours 45 minutes, with the flight south taking approximately 11 hours and 45 minutes.
"A great deal of work has taken place over the past twelve months to evaluate the feasibility of Auckland-Shanghai as a new route option. Our desires to fly to the region have been well documented and we are pleased to now get the process formally underway after completing our market feasibility studies."
More than 84,000 people visited New Zealand from China for the year ending December 2004, up 28% on 2003. In addition, more than 45,000 Kiwis travelled to China over the same period, up 38% on 2003. China is now the fifth most visited country behind Australia, Fiji, USA and UK.
Tourism Research Council of New Zealand forecasts predict substantial inbound growth over the next few years building to more than 110,000 arrivals from China in 2007 and up to 188,000 in 2011.*
"If the service becomes as successful as we expect it will be, we look forward to increasing to daily flights in the longer term," says Mr Thompson.
Airfares and flight schedules will be announced once the relative regulatory approvals have been gained next year.