Jetting across to Melbourne this summer just got easier
with the upcoming launch of China Airlines service from
Auckland Airport.

The new seasonal service starting in
December will fly five times a week between Auckland and
Melbourne and on to Taipei, providing another option across
the Tasman for Kiwi travellers and air cargo space onward
into key export markets.

Auckland Airport Chief
Customer Officer Scott Tasker said seat capacity between
Auckland and Melbourne is still around 75% of where it was
pre-pandemic, leading to very full flights and higher
fares.

“Whether it’s those absolutely unmissable
sporting events like the Boxing Day Test and the Australian
Open or just soaking up Melbourne’s cultural, foodie or
shopping attractions, it’s a favourite short haul
destination for Kiwis. Melbourne is our second biggest
trans-Tasman market with around 1000 people flying between
Auckland and Melbourne every day.

“Unfortunately,
the flights haven’t been there to meet the demand and
that’s been reflected in airfares that are well up on what
we were paying pre-pandemic. It’s great to have a
full-service airline like China Airlines step up its
trans-Tasman services to include the Auckland-Melbourne
route.”

China Airlines currently connects Auckland
to Taipei via Brisbane five times a week, with plans to lift
the frequency to six times a week across the summer
months.

“We’ve had a long history with China
Airlines connecting Auckland to Taiwan. China Airlines were
also one of the carriers that continued flying to New
Zealand through the pandemic, including regular freight-only
passenger aircraft keeping our trade links up and
running,” said Mr Tasker.

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Taiwan is New Zealand’s
fifth largest air export market, with fresh produce a
popular product for Taiwanese consumers.

“Taiwan is
our number one cherry export market, so this additional
capacity across the summer months is perfectly timed for our
local growers to get their product into that market in top
condition.

“And while Taiwan is our 12th largest
inbound visitor market, there is a strong local Taiwanese
population in Auckland driving those VFR – or ‘visiting
friends and relatives’ –
links.”

Notes:

· China
Airlines currently operate a Taipei-Brisbane-Auckland
service five times a week on an A350-900, increasing to six
flights per week over summer.

· Pre-pandemic China
Airlines flew seven times per week
Taipei-Brisbane-Auckland.

· China Airlines
Auckland-Melbourne service will depart every Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The outbound flight
CI058 from Auckland to Melbourne will take off at 21:05 and
arrive in Melbourne at 22:55 local time (3 hours 50 minutes
flying time). The return flight CI057 will take off at 13:40
local time from Melbourne and arrive in Auckland at 19:05
(3.5 hours flying time). Subject to government
approval.

· China Airlines’ A350-900 has 306 seats:
32 flat-bed business class seats, 31 premium economy seats
and 243 economy class seats. China Airlines is a member of
the SkyTeam alliance is a full-service carrier and Skytrax
4-star
airline.

© Scoop Media

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