Air New Zealand has announced an increase in capacity to a number of prominent international destinations, as it prepares for a busy Northern Winter schedule.
First off the mark are Asian destinations, with the airline increasing overall capacity on Chinese routes during the Northern Winter period (November 2011 – March 2012) by 21.6 per cent, including more flights to Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. Capacity will a;so increase by 38.6 per cent on the Auckland-Beijing route, assisted by a third year round 777-200ER service. With the planned addition of a fourth 777-200ER, Air New Zealand’s Auckland to Shanghai route will also increase capacity by 22.7 per cent, as that service begins operating from December to March next year.
“In addition, following strong demand for the overnight service from Auckland to Hong Kong, this route is up by 15.6 per cent with a Boeing 777-200 operating daily services from November to mid-December, increasing to nine services per week from mid-December,” Air New Zealand deputy CEO Norm Thompson, said in a statement.
To Japan, and the airline has announced a 7.7 per cent increase to its 767-300 Auckland-Osaka route, restoring capacity to the same levels before Japan’s recent spate of natural disasters. Air New Zealand is also moving ahead with the introduction of a 747-400 on the Auckland to Tokyo route between December and February.
“We will be increasing our Auckland – Tokyo capacity by 16 per cent, with the up-gauge of the daily service from a Boeing 777-200 to a Boeing 747-400 aircraft, reflecting our confidence in the return of tourists to New Zealand from this important market,” Thompson said.
Meanwhile, in North America, all Auckland to San Francisco flights will also be operated by a747-400 aircraft, increasing capacity by 14.1 per cent, while Auckland to Vancouver is expected to track a rise by 10.1 per cent. Adding to this will be two 777-300ERs to exclusively service all Air New Zealand flights to and from Los Angeles from February 2012.
