Air New Zealand adds more seats to China and Japan

Air New Zealand is increasing international capacity to China and Japan as part of its Northern Winter schedule.

International capacity for the Northern Winter period (November 2011 – March 2012) on the airline’s China routes will rise by  21.6%, with increased frequency to Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.

Capacity on the Auckland – Beijing route will rise 38.6% with a third year-round Boeing 777-200 service from early December.

The airline’s Auckland – Shanghai route will have a capacity increase of 22.7%, with the addition of a fourth Boeing 777-200 service operating between December and March.

“In addition, following strong demand for the overnight service from Auckland to Hong Kong, this route is up by 15.6% with a Boeing 777-200 operating daily services from November to mid-December, increasing to nine services per week from mid-December,” says Air New Zealand deputy chief executive Norm Thompson.

Air New Zealand said it is continuing with its plans to introduce a Boeing 747-400 on its Japan routes between December and February.

“We will be increasing our Auckland – Tokyo capacity by 16%, with the [use of a larger plane} on 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,” Mr Thompson said.

In addition, Auckland-Osaka capacity will rise by 7.7% following a reduction earlier in the year as a result of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The new planned frequency will be back to the same level as the Northern Winter schedule the previous year, with a Boeing 767-300 operating all services.

On North American routes, all Auckland – San Francisco services will be operated by Boeing 747-400 aircraft, increasing capacity by 14.1%, while Auckland – Vancouver capacity will rise by 10.1%.

With the airline’s two remaining new Boeing 777-300 aircraft due to join the fleet by mid February, all services to and from Los Angeles (NZ1, 2, 5 & 6) will be operated exclusively by these aircraft from that time.