Summary
- China Eastern declares latest direct link between Hangzhou and Auckland, restoring pre-pandemic capability and expanding its international reach.
- Hangzhou and Jinan may also be added to Sydney’s route map, joining the carrier’s current services to Nanjing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and Xi’an.
- China Eastern plans to launch as much as 41 latest international and regional destinations, transforming Shanghai’s Pudong right into a “mega-hub” and potentially adding more services to Oceania, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Come November, Auckland Airport will welcome one other direct link to Asia, with China Eastern announcing its intentions to link Hangzhou to Auckland. Currently, the Chinese carrier connects Shanghai to Auckland seven days every week, down from 11 pre-pandemic.
Launching November fifth, MU will deploy its Airbus A330 on the route, operating a triangle routing, operating Hangzhou – Sydney – Auckland – Hangzhou twice every week and twice in the opposite direction.
Source: GCMap
Over at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, each AKL and SYD can be the primary services for the airport to Oceania. They may join Qatar Airways (Doha) and Egypt Air (Cairo) as the only long-haul destinations outside Asia.
Airlines ambitious growth plans
As reported by Aviancionline, China Eastern is seeking to grow its international reach substantially. The airline last week announced its growth plan during an announcement of its half-yearly result, and a part of this plan is a proposal to launch as much as 41 latest international and regional destinations.
Alongside the carrier’s current Shanghai to Auckland service, MU will transform Pudong right into a ‘mega hub.’ As China’s financial center, town must be well-oiled enough to stimulate demand.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
This can be welcomed with open arms at Christchurch International Airport. Before the top of the 12 months, China Southern will reintroduce its direct Guangzhou service, alongside seasonal services by Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong and United Airlines to San Francisco to the South Island’s largest city.
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Suppose the Shanghai to Christchurch flights come to fruition. In that case, this may mark three direct services between the Bund and Latest Zealand, having MU already operating the route from Auckland, alongside Air Latest Zealand’s direct services with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.