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Seventeen years ago, Air New Zealand launched a direct air service between Auckland and Shanghai.
Recognising the importance and potential of China as a trading partner and a tourism market, Air New Zealand worked in partnership to build a premium brand reputation for New Zealand and demand for New Zealand holidays.
When international borders shut around the world in 2020, Air New Zealand remodelled the business to operate cargo-only flights, in addition to twice-weekly passenger services, to ensure vital trade and tourism links between New Zealand and China were maintained.
Air New Zealand plans to build back to daily services between Auckland and Shanghai, as soon as borders reopen.
The first direct flights between China and New Zealand
Air New Zealand was the first airline to commence non-stop flights between New Zealand and China in November 2005, operating three services a week between Auckland and Shanghai.
In July 2008 Air New Zealand added a twice-weekly Beijing service to its network, in advance of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. This route was suspended in June 2012 as the airline focused on operating daily Boeing 787-9 flights to Shanghai.
Growing tourism export earnings
Air New Zealand’s growth in capacity supported the development of tourism and by 2019 international visitor arrivals to New Zealand from China reached 415,000 arrivals.
China was New Zealand’s second largest visitor market for New Zealand tourism, contributing $1.54 billion in expenditure.
Building destination demand
Air New Zealand works in partnership to establish a brand reputation for New Zealand as a premium visitor destination. The airline has invested in innovative marketing campaigns to raise New Zealand’s profile in China.
With many Chinese migrants living in New Zealand, Air New Zealand also plays an important role in keeping families connected.
Air China alliance
In 2015, Air New Zealand entered a strategic alliance with Air China, which was recently extended to March 2026. The airline’s strong partnership with Air China supports the Shanghai route and Air China operated Beijing services. The alliance benefits passengers by providing greater flight choice and more seat capacity between China and New Zealand.
A vital pipeline for trade
China’s economic growth has boosted consumer demand for New Zealand goods and in 2019 China was New Zealand’s largest export destination.
Supporting New Zealand exports to China is integral to Air New Zealand’s purpose of enriching New Zealand by seamlessly connecting New Zealanders to each other and New Zealand to the world.
Air NZ has connected exporters and importers for well over a decade. In that time, Cargo export weights carried by Air NZ from New Zealand to China have doubled. Our trade links have enabled growth in the value of trade with China through the export of premium fresh goods such as seafood, red meat, dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables, and the import of consumer general goods, technology, electronics and PPE to help New Zealand’s fight against the pandemic.
When borders closed as part of New Zealand’s covid-response, Air New Zealand moved quickly to ensure critical cargo connectivity with China. With the assistance of the New Zealand Government’s MIAC (Maintaining International Air Connectivity) scheme, Air New Zealand has continued to operate regular air services carrying critical imports and exports between China and New Zealand throughout the pandemic.
Our people
Air New Zealand’s China operations are led by General Manager Asia, Jonathan Zhang.
In 2006 Air New Zealand set up a crew base in Shanghai to ensure the majority of crew on the Shanghai route could communicate with passengers in Mandarin.
Today Air New Zealand employs over 70 staff in China, including; cabin crew, cargo and airport staff, contact center, sales, marketing, finance and HR functions.
Learn more about Air New Zealand here.