Air New Zealand to add capacity to China, Japan routes for upcoming Northern Winter schedule

Air New Zealand has announced that the capacity to China and Japan routes for its upcoming Northern Winter schedule, from November 2011 to March 2012, will be significantly increased.

The airline in a statement said that the capacity to China routes will be up by 21.6 percent, with increased frequency to Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.

On the Auckland-Beijing route, the capacity will be increased by 38.6 percent with the addition of a third year-round Boeing 777-200 service from early December. Similarly, the capacity to Auckland-Shanghai route will be up by 22.7 percent, with the addition of a fourth Boeing 777-200 service operating between December and March.

Besides, the airline also said that following strong demand for the overnight service from Auckland to Hong Kong, the capacity on this route will be increased by 15.6 percent 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, “We are the only airline to offer an overnight service from Auckland to Hong Kong, providing customers with a lie-flat bed option in our Business Premier class.”

Regarding the capacity increase to Japan routes, Air New Zealand said that it is continuing with its plans to Boeing 747-400 between December and February. Auckland-Tokyo capacity will be increased by 16 percent, whereas the Auckland-Osaka capacity, which was reduced earlier in the year due to the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, will be up by 7.7 percent.