China Eastern launches year-round flights to Auckland
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China Eastern Airlines has commenced a new year-round service between Shanghai and Auckland.
The inaugural flight touched down at Auckland Airport on 26 September and will now operate four times a week until January 2016, before rising to daily flights. The airline previously operated the route on a seasonal basis between December 2014 and March 2015.
“The reinstatement of China Eastern Airlines’ Shanghai-Auckland flights has been strongly supported by the New Zealand government and by Auckland Airport,” explained Liuwen Tian, senior vice president of China Eastern. “The launch of year-round flights on this route both enriches and improves our network in the Oceania region.”
Norris Carter, Auckland Airport’s general manager for aeronautical commercial, welcomed the new service. “The commencement of China Eastern Airlines’ year-round service is great news and evidence of the strong growth in air connectivity between New Zealand and China in recent years,” he said.
“China Eastern Airlines operated a seasonal service, of between four and seven flights per week, for the first time on the Auckland to Shanghai route from December 2014 to March 2015. That seasonal service was so successful that the airline has now expanded to year-round.
“China Eastern Airlines’ service expansion will deliver new travel market opportunities from mainland China, via Shanghai, especially for tourists seeking premium travel experiences in New Zealand,” Carter added.
Flights will now depart Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport at 0010 and arrive in Auckland at 1815. The return service then leaves at 2200, arriving back in Shanghai at 0530 the next morning. China Eastern will operate the route using a 234-seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
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