Tianjin Airlines will begin operating a three-times-weekly service between Tianjin and Auckland from December.

The Chinese carrier operates a fleet of more than 90 aircraft to over 100 destinations worldwide. Whilst its presence is still predominantly limited to China, Tianjin Airlines does operate a number of long-haul services to Russia and London.

According to the NZ Herald, the new Tianjin Airlines service will add 83,000 seats to flights between China and Auckland, which would provide a NZ$102 million boost to the New Zealand tourism industry.

The number of Chinese travellers visiting New Zealand has increased steadily in recent years, and China is now the country’s second largest source of tourists, after Australia.

Tianjin Airlines’ new route is part of an ongoing trend that has seen a number of mainland carriers increase capacity to New Zealand. Air China and China Eastern have both started operating regular services to the country, while China Southern has also boosted capacity on its flights.

“Regional China is a rapidly developing source market for New Zealand tourism and these new routes flying directly to Auckland provide another option for Chinese visitors to experience New Zealand,” said Norris Carter, Auckland Airport’s general manager – aeronautical commercial.

For more information, visit tianjinairlines.co.uk

Clement Huang