Air New Zealand to operate Christchurch

Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines will deliver South Island travellers greater choice and increased frequency as part of their joint venture alliance, with Air New Zealand to operate flights between Christchurch and Singapore from December 2019.

The airline will operate a five times weekly seasonal service between Christchurch and Singapore from 1 December 2019 to 22 February 2020 using new configuration Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Up to now, Singapore Airlines has been operating the seasonal service three times a week, in addition to its daily service between Christchurch and Singapore.

The increase in seasonal services to Christchurch follows approval for the two airlines to extend their alliance for a further five years until March 2024.

Air New Zealand Chief Strategy, Networks and Alliances Officer Nick Judd says the changes have been introduced to meet growing demand for alliance services.

“We’re deploying our larger Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the route which will increase capacity as well as add more premium seating to the route. With the growth in frequency of the seasonal service to five times weekly, these changes will ultimately deliver greater choice, great connectivity beyond Singapore and increased connections into the domestic New Zealand network.

“We’d also like to acknowledge our partners in Christchurch – ChristchurchNZ and Christchurch Airport – for their support as we’ve gone about establishing these services,” says Mr Judd.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel says today’s announcement highlights a recent agreement.

“This follows a partnership agreement signed in September between Christchurch stakeholders including Christchurch City Council, Christchurch Airport, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce and Air New Zealand. We agreed to work together to make the most of Christchurch being a key destination and commercial hub, as well as the international gateway to the South Island. This is the part of the world people want to see, so together we can all make the most of it,” says Mayor Dalziel.

Christchurch Airport’s Chief Aeronautical and Commercial Officer, Justin Watson, welcomes the announcement as a significant boost for the South Island.

“Today’s announcement reinforces Christchurch and the South Island as a priority market that stands to benefit from the new direct service. Having both Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines flying between the South Island and Singapore will enable the strength of both airlines to be leveraged, to provide greater choice for visitors and locals alike,“ says Mr Watson.

In addition to Christchurch services, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines also offer three daily services between Auckland and Singapore and four times weekly service between Wellington and Singapore via Australia under their joint alliance.

Tickets for the new Air New Zealand operated service will go on sale from 23 January 2019.