Tianjin Airlines confirms new Auckland service starts in December
The route will provide an air link between two more major Chinese cities and New Zealand.
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Auckland Airport has confirmed an NBR report of July 11 that Tianjin Airlines of China will start services to New Zealand from December.
In a statement, Auckland Airport says Tianjin will operate year round between Tianjin, Chongqing and Auckland three times a week using an A330 aircraft.
Tianjin Airlines is a full-service Chinese airline with a fleet of 89 aircraft and a network that serves more than 100 destinations.
The airline was established in 2009 and was awarded Best Regional Airline in China by Skytrax in 2011.
With a population of more than 15 million people, Tianjin is the largest coastal city in northern China. Chongqing is a major economic centre of the Yangtze basin and has a population of more than 30 million.
Norris Carter, Auckland Airport’s general manager – aeronautical commercial, says the airport is delighted by the announcement.
“This is great news for Auckland Airport as well as our city and the country,” he says.
“Regional China is a rapidly developing source market for New Zealand tourism and these new routes flying directly to Auckland provide another option for Chinese visitors to experience New Zealand.”
Auckland Airport estimates the new service will add 83,000 seats to the China to Auckland route every year and will provide a $102 million boost to the New Zealand tourism industry.
“It is very exciting that Tianjin Airlines has chosen Auckland as its first Australasia destination," Mr Carter says.
A further boost to traffic from China will also come in mid-November when Hong Kong Airlines flies direct to Auckland, competing with Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific on the Hong Kong route.
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Nevil Gibson
Wed, 24 Aug 2016
Wed, 24 Aug 2016
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Tianjin Airlines confirms new Auckland service starts in December
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