Pre-Covid-19, New Zealand’s flag carrier operated seven services per week on its Auckland-Shanghai route, however the route has been suspended since early February due to the outbreak.
The airline says it will now operate one return service per week on its Auckland-Shanghai route with the first flight departing Auckland on June 22.
“Shanghai was the first route to be impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and government travel restrictions, so it’s pleasing to be able to resume operating passenger services on this route from Monday,” said Air New Zealand general manager networks Scott Carr.
“While we have been operating some dedicated cargo flights between Auckland and Shanghai, it’s great to be able to now open these services up for passengers to book and we expect Chinese nationals in New Zealand wanting to return to China, or New Zealanders in China seeking to return home, will look to use these services,” he added.
The schedule for Auckland-Shanghai is as follows:
| Date | Flight No. | Aircraft | Departs | Arrives | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From 22 June | NZ289 | 787-9 Dreamliner | Auckland
11:00pm |
Shanghai
7:15am |
Monday |
| From 24 June | NZ288 | 787-9 Dreamliner | Shanghai
2:15pm |
Auckland
5:45am |
Wednesday |
According to The International Air Transport Association (IATA), restrictions for passengers travelling to China include the following:
- Mainland China has temporarily suspended entry for foreign nationals with visas issued before March 28, 2020. Entry by foreign nationals with APEC Business Travel Cards has been suspended as well.
- Foreign nationals coming to mainland China for necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities or out of emergency humanitarian needs may apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates.
- Passengers arriving at Shanghai Pudong (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) must undergo a Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) and a 14-day quarantine in designated places for medical observation.
More information about mainland China’s travel restrictions can be found here.
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 foreign nationals.
New Zealand citizens and residents may return to the country but will be subject to restrictions upon entry, according New Zealand’s government. All people arriving in New Zealand are required to undergo either quarantine or managed isolation for 14 days, according to the New Zealand government’s website.
The airline announced last week it will resume services to Narita, Tokyo from June 25 with one return service a week to operate on that route.
Air New Zealand says customers travelling on this service will also be subject to government border controls.
