Air New Zealand will now operate daily return flights to Tokyo and Shanghai in response to strong growth in the Asian market. The airline commenced daily return services to Shanghai this week for the first time since launching its route in 2006.
According to Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Sales Officer Norm Thompson, China is now New Zealand’s second largest inbound tourist market after Australia, having overtaken both North America and the UK. Only the Shanghai region is a home to around 23 million people and is a perfect gateway for the rapid growth of Chinese market.
Air New Zealand has also resumed its daily return flights to Tokyo for the first time in three years and thus, increases its capacity on the route in December more than 12 percent in a year.
In the words of Mr. Thompson, daily return flights to Tokyo signals Air New Zealand’s commitment to the Japanese market which is now showing the signs of strong recovery after it was hit very hard by both the Christchurch earthquake and Japan tsunami in 2011.
According to Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Sales Officer Norm Thompson, China is now New Zealand’s second largest inbound tourist market after Australia, having overtaken both North America and the UK. Only the Shanghai region is a home to around 23 million people and is a perfect gateway for the rapid growth of Chinese market.
Air New Zealand has also resumed its daily return flights to Tokyo for the first time in three years and thus, increases its capacity on the route in December more than 12 percent in a year.
In the words of Mr. Thompson, daily return flights to Tokyo signals Air New Zealand’s commitment to the Japanese market which is now showing the signs of strong recovery after it was hit very hard by both the Christchurch earthquake and Japan tsunami in 2011.
