AIA
16/04/2015 11:16
GENERAL
NOT PRICE SENSITIVE
REL: 1116 HRS Auckland International Airport Limited
GENERAL: AIA: AIA welcomes Air NZs new Auckland to Houston service
Media Release | 16 April 2015
Auckland Airport welcomes Air New Zealand's new Auckland to Houston service
Air New Zealand has announced today that it will begin flying direct to
Houston, Texas from December this year.
The new Air New Zealand service will see a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft operate
up to five flights per week between Auckland and Houston, commencing in
mid-December.
Norris Carter, Auckland Airport's general manager aeronautical commercial,
says he is delighted by the announcement which will see an additional 126,000
seats added to the American market per year, contributing an estimated $110
million to the New Zealand economy.
"The United States is New Zealand's third largest international tourism
market with 226,600 visitor arrivals in the year ending February 2015. This
is an increase of 10.3 per cent when compared to the same period the year
before," says Mr Carter.
"This new Auckland to Houston service will help stimulate further growth as
it provides a direct connection between New Zealand and Texas for the first
time," says Mr Carter. "It also offers a new gateway for New Zealand
travellers visiting popular American East Coast destinations, such as New
York, allowing for more one stop connections from Auckland."
"Very importantly, the new service also provides American visitors from the
South and from the East Coast with a one stop option when visiting New
Zealand, enhancing the accessibility of our country as a tourist
destination."
"This new direct service strengthens Auckland's position as a hub airport for
Asia, Australasia and the Americas. Air New Zealand and its partner airlines
offer 54 return flights per week to Asia, 110 return flights per week to
Australia and, with the addition of this service in December, 30 return
flights per week to the Americas."
"We congratulate the Air New Zealand team on this Auckland to Houston
service," finishes Mr Carter.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Katie Moore
+64 27 473 1989
End CA:00263185 For:AIA Type:GENERAL Time:2015-04-16 11:16:58
