24 August 2016
Auckland Airport welcomes the announcement by Tianjin Airlines that it will start flying to Auckland from December this year. The airline will operate year round between Tianjin, Chongqing and Auckland three times a week using an A330 aircraft.
Tianjin Airlines is a full service Chinese airline with a fleet of 89 aircraft and a network that serves more than 100 destinations. The airline was established in 2009 and was awarded Best Regional Airline in China by SKYTRAX in 2011.
With a population of more than 15 million people, Tianjin is the largest coastal city in northern China. Chongqing is a major economic centre of the Yangtze basin and has population of more than 30 million people.
Norris Carter, Auckland Airport’s general manager – aeronautical commercial, says the airport is delighted by Tianjin Airline’s announcement.
“This is great news for Auckland Airport as well as our city and the country.”
“Regional China is a rapidly developing source market for New Zealand tourism and these new routes flying directly to Auckland provide another option for Chinese visitors to experience New Zealand.”
Auckland Airport estimates that Tianjin Airlines’ new service will add 83,000 seats to the China to Auckland route every year and will provide a $102 million boost to the New Zealand tourism industry.
“It is very exciting that Tianjin Airlines has chosen Auckland as their first Australasia destination. We look forward to welcoming Tianjin Airlines, its passengers and crew to New Zealand in December, and wish them all the very best for this new service,” says Mr Carter.
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For further information please contact:
Lisa Mulitalo
+64 27 801 9377
[email protected]