Ann: GENERAL: AIA: AIAL China Southern Airlines increases flights

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					AIA
18/02/2015 14:29
GENERAL
NOT PRICE SENSITIVE
REL: 1429 HRS Auckland International Airport Limited

GENERAL: AIA: AIAL China Southern Airlines increases flights

Media Release | 18 February 2015

China Southern Airlines increases flights on Guangzhou to Auckland route

China Southern Airlines (CZ) strengthens its commitment to growing the New
Zealand market with the announcement of year-round double-daily flights on
the Guangzhou to Auckland route.

Following on from the success of its summer peak season double-daily service
on the Canton route, China Southern will be extending the current schedule to
a year-round double-daily service. The new schedule will commence on 1 August
2015 and will be serviced by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

This latest announcement from China Southern Airlines is fantastic news for
New Zealand inbound and outbound travellers as it will see an increase from
10 flights per week to 14 per week, year-round.

Mike Ma, China Southern Airlines' general manager New Zealand, says, "We have
great confidence in the Auckland-Guangzhou route due to the high level of
tourism demand between China and New Zealand."

"We have seen strong returns on our investment in the New Zealand market and
the support we receive from Auckland Airport is certainly contributing to our
success here. This increase in services also reinforces our desire to
provide the best service possible for our customers," says Mr Ma.

Norris Carter, Auckland Airport's general manager aeronautical commercial,
highlighted the economic benefit of the decision by China Southern to offer
year-round double-daily flights on the Guangzhou to Auckland route.

"We forecast that this latest increase in services will add 95,000 seats on
the Auckland to Guangzhou route, contributing $97 million to the New Zealand
economy," says Mr Carter.

"China is one of New Zealand's top visitor markets and China Southern
Airlines has recognised the opportunity that this represents. This airline
started flying the Guangzhou to Auckland route in April 2011 with three
services per week.  Within three years it has increased flights on this route
to double-daily in the peak season, and now to this latest offering of
double-daily year-round.  It is truly impressive to see a route grow so
quickly," finished Mr Carter.

The new double-daily year-round service follows on from the recent
partnership between Auckland Airport and China Southern Airlines to engage
celebrated chef Al Brown to redesign the inflight menu for China Southern's
Auckland to Guangzhou services.

The new service also aligns well with Auckland Airport's 'Four Seasons, Five
Senses' project, a project jointly funded by Auckland Airport and the
Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment.

"The 'Four Seasons, Five Senses' project aims to drive tourism growth across
the seasons, throughout the year," says Mr Carter.  "This will be done by
raising awareness within China of the unique and iconic activities that New
Zealand has to offer during autumn, winter and spring. These activities will
engage the five senses of travellers with a focus on high quality food, wine,
cultural and adventure experiences."

As the third largest airline in the world and the largest in Asia, China
Southern has been expanded at a rapid rate from 10 million passengers in 1994
to 101 million in 2014.

ENDS
For further information from Auckland Airport, please contact:
Katie Moore
+27 473 1989
End CA:00260805 For:AIA    Type:GENERAL    Time:2015-02-18 14:29:10