Air New Zealand plans to resume its Shanghai route starting March 30 and its Hong Kong services throughout April and May, both with reduced capacity.

The airline said the resumption of its Shanghai service depends on whether New Zealand’s government will lift a travel restriction it has imposed on all foreign nationals arriving from, or transiting through mainland China until February 24.

New Zealand said the decision to impose the travel ban will be reviewed every 48 hours and it will decide on or before February 24 whether the travel restrictions need to remain in place.

The carrier’s Shanghai-Auckland route, its only route to mainland China, is currently suspended until March 29.

If the travel ban is lifted, New Zealand’s flag carrier will resume its Shanghai-Auckland service by offering one return service every other day until April 30. The airline previously offered daily round-trip flights on this route.

The airline will also resume its Hong Kong-Auckland service on March 29, which is currently operated by Cathay Pacific. However, it will reduce the flight frequency from daily round-trip services to four return flights per week between April 21 and May 31.

Business Traveller Asia-Pacific previously reported that Cathay Pacific would take over Air New Zealand’s Hong Kong-Auckland return service for most of the first quarter of 2020.

According to the airline, customers that have booked the affected flights directly with the airline will be contacted with alternative travel options within the coming week, while those who have booked via a travel agent, including online third parties, will be contacted by their respective booking agent.

Passengers who wish to make changes to their bookings can reach out to the airline’s 24/7 Contact Centre.

Business Traveller Asia-Pacific is updating a list of airlines that have cancelled or reduced flights to Hong Kong due to the coronavirus outbreak:

Coronavirus: Which Hong Kong flights are cancelled?

airnewzealand.com