Air New Zealand's Auckland - Beijing service will help consolidate its presence in mainland China. Photo / Martin Sykes
Air New Zealand will fly non-stop to Beijing from July next year in an effort to boost the national carrier's footprint in China.
Flights on the airline's new Boeing 777-200ER planes will depart from on Auckland on Wednesdays and Fridays and Beijing on Thursdays and Saturdays, chief executive
Rob Fyfe said at a Star Alliance meeting in Beijing.
"The new service is part of the airline's continued drive to expand our presence in mainland China, and we expect it to generate a high level of interest," Mr Fyfe said.
Auckland-based Air New Zealand expects the Olympic games in Beijing next August will generate "strong demand" for its new service.
Last year, Air New Zealand began a direct service to Shanghai, home to 17 million people.
