OREANDA-NEWS.  Auckland Airport has welcomed the announcement by China Southern Airlines that it will increase its 2014/2015 summer peak season flights on the Guangzhou-Auckland route from 10 to 14 per week.

The flights will operate from 26 October 2014 to 29 March 2015 using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Charles Spillane, Auckland Airport’s acting general manager aeronautical commercial, says, “China Southern’s announcement that they will operate a double-daily service on the Canton route next summer is great news for New Zealand.”

“Auckland Airport forecasts this will add 30,000 seats to the route and inject USD 43 million into the New Zealand economy.”

“China is rapidly becoming one of New Zealand’s top visitor markets and China Southern Airlines has recognised this. China Southern started flying the Guangzhou-Auckland route in April 2011 with three services per week. Within three years they have increased flights to twice daily. It’s truly impressive to see a route grow so fast.”

Mike Ma, China Southern Airlines’ general manager New Zealand, says, “The strong tourism demand between China and New Zealand has given us great confidence in the Auckland-Guangzhou route. We’ve also seen great returns on our investment in the New Zealand market. The support we have received from Auckland Airport and the tourism industry has contributed to our success in New Zealand.”

“New Zealand plays a strong role in China Southern’s internationalisation strategy. We have seen significant growth in New Zealand transit visitors via Guangzhou. Our newly launched Guangzhou to New York and Frankfurt services will add even more travel options for our New Zealand passengers, and that will further support the performance of the Guangzhou-Auckland route,” says Mr Ma.