Air New Zealand is set to return to long-haul flying from New Zealand’s second largest city this coming October, with the flag carrier announcing its plans to resume services onboard the Boeing 787-9 from Christchurch Airport (CHC) to Perth International Airport (PER), Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), and Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT).

All of these routes have previously been served by the airline; however have not featured since before the COVID-19 Pandemic. Two routes will see competition, Jetstar to Perth and Singapore Airlines to Singapore. Air New Zealand and Singapore have a joint venture on services between the two countries.

Air New Zealand Long-Haul Flying Returns To Christchurch

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As more 787’s return to the Air NZ fleet, the airline had teased that it was looking to announce several new routes soon. This came with the announcement that it wanted to be direct with Christchurch, and this came with the plans that it would resume three iconic long-haul routes from the garden city.

The carrier has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Christchurch Airport to develop a long-term partnership that will promote sustainable and long-term growth for the two businesses. Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar explained:

“As New Zealand’s national airline we think about connectivity at a country level – where we can help open up the greatest value and opportunities for customers, for regions, and for the economy. With aircraft returning to service, we’re now in the fantastic position of being able to grow again, and we are delighted this is going to happen in the South Island.”

Thrice Weekly Services To Three Key International Destinations

Credit: GCMap

Announced on May 20, Air New Zealand will relaunch long-haul flights from Christchurch from October, with the first route being non-stop flights to Singapore. This route will start on October 28, operating northbound in the evening on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and return services on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, which will fly overnight.

Tokyo is up next, with the service kicking off from November 27 southbound, with a Tokyo late-night departure and early afternoon arrival into Christchurch. Return services will depart Christchurch at lunchtime for an early evening arrival in Japan.

Perth starts on November 30 and will push back from Christchurch early evening, on what will be the shortest long-haul route by the carrier. The return flight from Perth will leave in the evening, flying overnight for an early morning arrival back to Christchurch.

More International Options From Christchurch

Credit: Christchurch Airport

Christchurch already welcomes several other long-haul services, with Singapore Airlines (Singapore) and Emirates (Dubai via Sydney) operating services year-round. Across the Northern Hemisphere winter season, additional long-haul flights are added by Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong), China Southern (Guangzhou), and United Airlines (San Francisco). Please note the map below is for long-haul services only.

Credit: GCMap

The addition of three new long-haul services by Air New Zealand has been welcomed by Christchurch Airport, which is bearing the fruits of hard work to attract new international airline partners. In recent years, the airport has seen an influx of options with the addition of Jetstar with non-stop flights to Cairns. Additionally, this year Solomon Airlines will launch a non-stop link to Port Vila (VLI), Air New Zealand, which commenced its first non-stop flight to Rarotonga International Airport(RAR) this week, and Jetstar, which plans to add seasonal services to Perth from this October.

Air New Zealand historically flew between Christchurch and Perth up until March 2019, Singapore, last served in February 2020, and Tokyo, which was last flown in 2015. Other international flights from Christchurch include Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Nadi.