Auckland Airport welcomes the announcement by Hainan Airlines that it will start flying to Auckland on 31 December 2016.

The inaugural flight will touch down on 1 January, 2017 and will operate three times a week between Shenzhen and Auckland using an A330 aircraft.

Hainan Airlines is part of the HNA group and is the largest privately-owned air transport company and the fourth largest airline in terms of fleet size in China. The airline has been operating for 23 years with 162 aircraft in operation and since 2011 has won six consecutive global SKYTRAX five-star airline ratings.

The new route between Shenzhen and Auckland is part of Hainan Airlines’ international expansion plans. Shenzhen is located in Southern China and is a major city in the Guangdong Province with a population of 18 million people.

Norris Carter, Auckland Airport’s general manager – aeronautical commercial says the announcement is fantastic news for the airport and the New Zealand tourism industry.

“This non-stop service will not only grow the number of visitors from Southern China, it will also give Chinese travellers further connecting flight options to Auckland from other areas in China through the extensive Hainan Airlines’ network,” says Mr Carter.

Auckland Airport estimates that Hainan Airlines’ new service will add 81,000 seats to the China to Auckland route every year and provide a $102 million boost to the New Zealand tourism industry.

“We are delighted to welcome Hainan Airlines to New Zealand and we look forward to welcoming their passengers and crew when they touch down in Auckland on 1 January.”