Flag carrier of the isolated South Pacific country of New Zealand, Air New Zealand has had a challenging year, but the airline has recently celebrated the return of all of its Boeing 787-9s from long-term storage due to ongoing Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine troubles. The airline has wasted no time in putting these vital aircraft to use with a list of new international routes.

Using data from Cirium, an online aviation analytics company, this article will look at the airline’s new short-haul international routes, alongside the resumption of long-haul flying from the country’s second-largest city Christchurch.

Air New Zealand: First International Operator To Western Sydney Airport

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Air New Zealand will become the first international operator to the long-awaited Western Sydney Airport (WSI). The new airport, located on the outskirts of Penrith, will become Sydney’s second international gateway, and what makes this airport unique is that it will not be restricted to the tight curfew that is experienced at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD). Read more about what this means for Sydney travelers here.

Air New Zealand will launch a three-weekly service from its home at Auckland Airport (AKL), with the airline’s Airbus A320neo. It is likely that the airline will test the demand on the route initially, before potentially increasing the frequency of this service.

This marks the airline’s seventh year-round destination in the country after Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Seasonal services are also added in the summer months to Cairns, Hobart and Sunshine Coast.

Long-Haul International Flying Returns To Christchurch

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Air New Zealand recently announced that after more than six years, it would return to long-haul flying from Christchurch. Christchurch is the second largest city in New Zealand, and one of the fastest-growing urban centres. It is home to the second busiest airport in the country, and is the primary gateway to the South Island.

Nonstop long-haul flights with the Boeing 787-9 will return from this October, as the airline resumes a nonstop link to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) from October 28. This route will operate three times a week and will work alongside Singapore Airlines daily nonstop flights.

Flying to Japan from the South Island will also get easier, with the airline resuming nonstop flights to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) from November 28. This flight will operate three times a week and will be the only airline operating nonstop flights from Japan to the South Island of New Zealand. Air New Zealand already maintains daily flights from Auckland to Tokyo.

Perth will return to the Christchurch Airport route map, with not just one, but two airlines for the Southern Hemisphere summer season. Jetstar has already announced it would add seasonal flights from Perth International Airport (PER) to Christchurch, while Air New Zealand will add year-round flights from November 30 with the Dreamliner.

Two New Routes This Year Already Flying

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Earlier this year, the Star Alliance carrier added a seasonal link nonstop from the tourist hotspot of Queenstown (ZQN), in the country’s South Island, direct to Brisbane Airport (BNE). This route is operating three times a week with the A320neo and competes head-to-head with Jetstar (seasonal), Qantas, and Virgin Australia.

A direct service to the Pacific Islands, launched just in time for those looking to escape cooler winter temperatures. Air New Zealand added a seasonal nonstop flight from Christchurch to Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) in May, which will operate three times a week on the A320neo through till October 24.

With six routes launched this year, it’s been an exciting year for the airline. The carrier has no known plans for new routes in 2027 at this stage.