AIA
28/09/2015 09:09
GENERAL
NOT PRICE SENSITIVE
REL: 0909 HRS Auckland International Airport Limited
GENERAL: AIA: AIAL welcomes China Eastern Airlines year round flight
Media Release | 28 September 2015
Auckland Airport welcomes inaugural China Eastern Airlines year-round flight
Auckland Airport has welcomed the inaugural year-round China Eastern Airlines
flight between Auckland and Shanghai.
The year-round service started on Saturday, 26 September 2015 with four
flights per week and from January 2016 it will increase to daily flights. In
total, the new year-round service adds 175,000 permanent seats on the route
and contributes an estimated $212 million to the New Zealand economy.
Norris Carter, Auckland Airport's general manager aeronautical commercial,
says, "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. 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," says Mr Carter.
Mr Liuwen Tian, Senior Vice President of China Eastern Airlines, says, "The
reinstatement of China Eastern Airlines' Shanghai-Auckland flights has been
strongly supported by the New Zealand Government and by Auckland Airport. The
launch of year-round flights on this route both enriches and improves our
network in the Oceania region. The connection and convenience of our air
network is further enhanced by China Eastern Airlines' Shanghai hub, which
brings even more travel choices for passengers."
"The launch of regular China Eastern flights to New Zealand will further
promote trade between China and New Zealand and improve the friendship of our
people. It delivers greater cooperation and a more connected and dynamic
relationship," says Mr Tian.
The inaugural year-round China Eastern Airlines flight landed at Auckland
Airport at approximately 4.30pm on Saturday, 26 September and was welcomed
with a water-arch by two of the airport's Rosenbauer Panther firefighting
vehicles and a powhiri by local iwi.
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Simon Lambourne
+64 27 477 6120
[email protected]
End CA:00270827 For:AIA Type:GENERAL Time:2015-09-28 09:09:43
