From China to Christchurch

Despite cooling growth in China and a share market slump, China Southern is also increasing flights to Auckland moving to double daily year-round from October.

China Southern Airlines is expanding into Christchurch with direct services to Guangzhou three times a week using a Dreamliner aircraft.

The airline will be the first Mainland Chinese carrier to fly to the South Island with the service starting in mid-December.

President and CEO of China Southern Tan Wan Geng, said the airline was proud to offer another first for New Zealand.

"Increasing numbers of Chinese arrivals into Christchurch Airport show the demand for the South Island, especially from the growing number of independent travellers who want to see and experience it.

Christchurch Airport chief executive Malcolm Johns said the service offered more than 70,000 seats and an estimated more than $100m in visitor spending for the whole economy.

"That is positive news not only for the tourism industry but also for southern air freight needs, which add up to significant economic development opportunities for every region of the South Island.

Government statistics showed that when the entry point is Christchurch every South Island region benefited because visitors on average leave around 85 per cent of their spending in the South Island. This drops to less than 35 per cent when the entry point is not Christchurch, said Johns.

Despite cooling growth in China and a share market slump, China Southern is also increasing flights to Auckland moving to double daily year-round from October.

The airline is that largest in Asia, in terms of fleet size as well as the number of passengers carried.

China is New Zealand's second biggest market for tourists behind Australia.