In response to the peak travel season in the Southern Hemisphere, China Airlines launches flights to Christchurch, New Zealand in December

Reported by You T-Ru / Taipei

To meet the growing demand for both passenger and cargo travel during the Southern Hemisphere’s peak travel season, China Airlines is expanding its presence in the New Zealand and Australia market. Starting December 1, the airline will launch seasonal scheduled flights to Christchurch, New Zealand, operating three times a week. This new service offers travelers a convenient route from Taoyuan, Taiwan, via Sydney, Australia, to Christchurch.

From December 1, 2014, to February 28, 2015, China Airlines will add a new Taoyuan–Sydney–Christchurch route, operating flights every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. The service will be operated using the A330-300 aircraft, offering 30 business class seats and 277 economy class seats, accommodating a total of 307 passengers. Coupled with the existing eight weekly flights from Sydney or Brisbane to Auckland, China Airlines will provide up to 11 weekly flights to New Zealand, ensuring frequent and comprehensive service.

Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island and is often referred to as “the most English town outside England.” With its numerous parks and meticulously designed private gardens, the city is also known as the “Garden City.” Additionally, popular attractions in the city such as Christchurch Cathedral, Victoria Square, Mona Vale Garden, the Avon River, and Hagley Park can now be accessed directly by flying with China Airlines to the South Island, eliminating the need for layovers in Auckland.

China Airlines sees strong potential in the business and tourism markets of Christchurch. As the first East Asian carrier to operate direct flights between Sydney and Christchurch, the airline expects to add approximately 24,000 extra seats on the Christchurch route during the Southern Hemisphere summer season. The airline will also offer belly cargo services to facilitate the fast movement of fresh and time-sensitive goods across New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. China Airlines already operates direct flights to Sydney and Brisbane in Australia, with a total of 14 weekly flights to Australia. Through these seasonal additional flights, the airline provides more flexible flight options for travelers from Taiwan, New Zealand, and Australia, while also making it more convenient for passengers from Japan and Europe to transit through Taiwan to reach New Zealand and Australia—further strengthening the role of Taoyuan Airport as a major hub.