Air NZ flight plan pays off

Air New Zealand is hailing a surge in Japanese tourism as vindication of its strategy to boost flights between Asia and New Zealand.

Figures from the airline show a 16 per cent growth in tourists from Japan last year, with 173,000 visiting.

Capacity was increased by 18 per cent within a year of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US.

Air New Zealand said other carriers pulled out of Japan but it saw the opportunity.

The boost in visitors is also a payoff for Tourism New Zealand's investment in a big promotional campaign in Japan.