Auckland airport is all set to exceed the pre-pandemic level with a planned 11% rise in long-haul flights between Auckland and North America
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. Further to the north, Air Canada has also announced a 20% 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.
“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.
Apart from North America and Doha the airport is eyeing rising demand from China too.
“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,” Tasker said.
Air China will be resuming its Auckland route from May and with Hainan Airlines also set to return on June 17 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.