OREANDA-NEWS. Auckland Airport has welcomed the announcement that China Southern Airlines will increase capacity on its Auckland to Guangzhou route.

The announcement will see China Southern Airlines replace the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on its night flight from Auckland to Guangzhou between January and March 2015.

Norris Carter, Auckland Airport's general manager aeronautical commercial, says he is delighted with the airline's decision to upgauge the aircraft it uses as it provides an additional 14,000 seats on this route during the peak period.

"This announcement from China Southern Airlines is fantastic news and will provide additional capacity over the 2015 Chinese New Year peak travel period," says Mr Carter.

"Last month China Southern Airlines increased its services on the Auckland to Guangzhou route from 10 to 14 flights per week for the October to March peak summer period. This further increase again demonstrates the commitment that China Southern Airlines has to New Zealand and its confidence in the continued growth of the Chinese outbound market," continues Mr Carter.

Mike Ma, China Southern Airlines' general manager New Zealand, says, "Not long after increasing our flight frequency to "double daily", we are excited to launch our brand new Boeing 777-300ER on the Auckland to Guangzhou route. This reflects our continual growth and commitment to the New Zealand market. We are keen to serve New Zealanders by providing the most advanced and innovative aircraft, world class in-flight service and safe flights."

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will operate on China Southern Airlines' night flight from Auckland to Guangzhou between 1 January and 29 March 2015. The morning flight will continue to be operated by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.