Air China proposes direct flights to Beijing

Air China and Air New Zealand have released details of a deal which could result in services between Beijing and Auckland. Photo: Mark Mitchell.

Air China will fly daily direct flights between Auckland and Beijing later this year if an alliance with Air New Zealand is approved.

The airlines today released details of the proposed deal which could result in services starting in December.

The flights would be in addition to Air New Zealand's existing Shanghai-Auckland service.

Air New Zealand pulled out of its struggling twice-weekly Beijing service in 2012 to concentrate on Shanghai.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said the alliance with Air China would see two home carriers with complementary strengths at each end of the route working together to drive traffic in both directions.

"This proposed alliance brings New Zealand and China closer as our two countries enter the next phase of what is a very strong relationship."

China is this country's fastest growing tourist market.

"By connecting the Chinese capital with New Zealand again we would provide tourists and business travellers with unparalleled air connectivity between and within each home market," said Luxon.

The entry of Air China will intensify competition into mainland China.

China Southern Airlines is to increase its flights to Guangzhou to double daily year round from August and China Eastern ran seasonal services to Auckland from Shanghai during summer.

Air China chief executive Song Zhiyong said the relationship between China and New Zealand was entering into a new phase with significant achievements having already been made in economic development and cultural as well as political exchanges in recent years.

"The proposed alliance with Air New Zealand allows both flag carriers to build a sustainable air service between Beijing and Auckland and supplement the existing connectivity between China and New Zealand."

The Chinese flag carrier would also continue to code-share on Air New Zealand's daily Shanghai - Auckland service which from August will be operated exclusively by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.