Air New Zealand will resume its Auckland-Tokyo-Narita route, according to a report from Auckland-based newspaper, The New Zealand Herald.

Citing the airline’s general manager networks Scott Carr, the report said that Air New Zealand will operate one return service per week on its Auckland-Narita route starting June 25.

“We’re pleased to be able to welcome customers back onboard as we restart services to Narita this month. However, we know the rebuilding of our international network is going to take considerable time,” said Carr, according to the report.

New Zealand’s flag carrier operated up to 10 services per week on the Auckland-Narita route before the coronavirus crisis, according to the report. The airline temporarily suspended this route on March 30.

New Zealand moved to alert level 1 earlier this month, the lowest level in its four-tier alert system. Under alert level 1, borders remain closed to foreigners.

Japan could let business travellers from some countries bypass a two-week quarantine requirement “as soon as this summer”, according to a report from Nikkei Asian Review. 

Japan’s government plans to hold talks with countries with similarly low infection rates. Discussions will begin as early as this month with Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand, with new rules to be implemented once an agreement is reached, added the Nikkei Asian Review report.

Air New Zealand has currently reduced its international flying capacity by 95 per cent compared to pre-Covid-19 levels.

The carrier plans to operate around 55 per cent of its usual domestic capacity (compared to pre-Covid-19 levels) in July and August.

Air New Zealand ramps up domestic flights for July and August

airnewzealand.com