Summary

  • China Southern Airlines has resumed its direct seasonal service between Guangzhou and Christchurch, providing a much-anticipated connection between mainland China and the South Island of New Zealand.
  • Passengers on the first flight were treated to performances showcasing Chinese and Maori culture, creating a buzz of excitement around the resumption of flights.
  • Christchurch International Airport is set for a busy summer with the return of China Southern and Cathay Pacific, as well as an increased service from Singapore Airlines and a new route with United Airlines to San Francisco.


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The South Island of New Zealand is again connected to mainland China, resuming China Southern’s direct seasonal service between Guangzhou and Christchurch. Arriving on November 10th, with much-anticipated fanfare, the carrier operated the nonstop route to schedule the 12-hour continuous service. China Southern first launched a service to Christchurch in 2015, three times a week; this quickly grew to a daily service; however, it was paused in February 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Passengers debarking on the first flight were treated to a range of performances influenced by Chinese and Maori culture, with a buzz of activity around the airport celebrating the resumption of flights to China. The airline will offer the service between November 10th and February 25th three times a week with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Flights will operate from Guangzhou on Fridays, Sundays, and Wednesdays.


CZ617 / CZ618

While pre-pandemic, Christchurch was directly connected to mainland China year-round, locals and tourists must now settle for a seasonal service. The first flight back to Christchurch departed from China Southern’s hub at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) as CZ617 on November 10th at 01:11, 21 minutes behind its scheduled departure time of 00:50. The flight time south to Christchurch was quick, at ten hours and 47 minutes, landing into Christchurch International Airport (CHC) at 16:58, 22 minutes ahead of it’s planned arrival time of 17:20.

CZ618 operated the return service, departing Christchurch at 22:52, a fraction behind the scheduled departure time of 22:30. The flight time of 11 hours and 24 minutes meant the flight landed back to Guangzhou at 05:16, just ahead of schedule (05:30). The aircraft deployed on the service was a five-year-old 787-9 registered B-1242 (serial number 63978), having first joined the carrier back in April 2018.

CZ617

A busy summer in Christchurch

The South Island’s busiest airport, Christchurch International, is gearing up for a stunning southern summer schedule, with both China Southern and Cathay Pacific resuming operations to the garden city. Singapore Airlines is boosting its daily service to ten weekly over Christmas, alongside a new route with United Airlines, direct to the Golden Gate (San Francisco).

Read more: Increasing Demand Leads To More Long Haul Flights From Christchurch This Summer.

A panoramic view of Christchurch Airport at dusk.

Photo: Christchurch Airport

CZ will be the third long-haul carrier back at Christchurch this summer, complementing Emirates and Singapore Airlines year-round service. From December 1st, United Airlines will join the pack, operating a thrice-weekly service to San Francisco. This service alone is estimated to bring NZ $44 million ($26 million) in visitor spending to New Zealand’s economy.

Last but not least, Cathay Pacific will reconnect Christchurch with Hong Kong, effective December 15th, another carrier that paused its HKG-CHC connection over the pandemic.

Have you flown long-haul into Christchurch Airport before? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: Flightradar24

  • China Southern A380 Sunset (1)

    Photo: Vincenzo Pace – Simple Flying

    China Southern

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    CZ/CSN

    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier

    Hub(s):
    Beijing Daxing Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

    Year Founded:
    1988

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