Air New Zealand is all set to ramp up its China capacity with increased operations between Auckland International Airport (AKL) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) from three to four times weekly.
Eyeing the increased demand in Asia over the Lunar New year holidays, the airline had previous increased the capacity from twice to thrice weekly. Now with four weekly flights, the airline will increase its seat availability to 1200 direct seats per week.
Leanne Geraghty, chief customer and sales officer, Air New Zealand said: “This will be the first Lunar New Year that Chinese living in Aotearoa can be reunited with their families for this special holiday. We’re seeing very strong demand across January for our flights into China. Most flights are full or close to full.”
Air New Zealand also operates a range of cargo services with five Boeing 787 passenger aircraft as cargo flights continuing to Los Angeles and destinations in Asia five times per week for the next two months. The national carrier operates two cargo-only flights to Shanghai weekly, and ahead of the Lunar New Year, will be transporting 500 tonnes of Central Otago cherries to China.
According to Cirium, Air New Zealand has reached almost 74% of its 2019 capacity so far.