Tianjin Airlines flies non-stop between Auckland and Chongqing, Tianjin

Chinese carrier Tianjin Airlines has launched a non-stop service between Auckland and two major Chinese cities, Chongqing and Tianjin, the first flight from Auckland connecting these cities. The Auckland-Chongqing-Tianjin service operates three times a week using a 260-seat Airbus A330 aircraft. 

"This new service will add 83,000 seats to the China-Auckland route every year and deliver an estimated NZ$102 million boost to the New Zealand tourism industry," said Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport's Acting General Manager - Aeronautical-Commercial.

"This route strengthens Tianjin Airlines' foreign hub, which is playing a significant strategic role in our ongoing growth plans. This year alone we have launched more than 10 new international destinations, including London, Moscow, Osaka and Phuket. Tianjin Airlines' Auckland-Chongqing-Tianjin route will open a new pathway for New Zealand tourism, giving more New Zealanders the opportunity to enjoy the many attractions China has to offer," said Tianjin Airlines' Market Director Li Wenbin.

"This is an air bridge connecting the people of China and New Zealand. The friendship between the two countries will become closer through this route," said Luo Binhui, Consulate-General of The People's Republic of China in Auckland.

The flight will operate with two classes of service with 18 business class seats and 142 seats in economy class. All seats have a personal in-flight entertainment system which is available throughout the flight.

Flights are timed for connections through Tianjin Airlines' international network and with high-speed rail in China, making it easy for customers to transfer from Chongqing and Tianjin to other Chinese cities including Chengdu, Beijing and Shanghai.

The outbound flight is scheduled to depart from Auckland Airport every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9:30pm, arriving at Chongqing at 5:45 the following morning (12.5 hours' flight time). After a three-hour layover, it will depart at 8:40am and arrive at Tianjin at 11:05am. The return flight departs from Tianjin at 8:10pm and arrives at Chongqing at 11pm After a three- hour layover, it will depart at 1am and arrive at Auckland at 6:30pm. (13.5 hours' flight time).

Interested?

Introductory fares on the route begin at about NZ$600 or RMB3,000 for a return ticket excluding tax. Travellers can buy tickets through local agencies in New Zealand.

West Air's first international service connects Chongqing, Singapore

Source: Changi Airport Group. A West Air aircraft.

Changi Airport has welcomed West Air to its family of airlines with the arrival of the airline’s inaugural international flight from Chongqing, China.

The Chongqing-based airline is operating a thrice-weekly service between Singapore and the Western Chinese city on an Airbus A320-200, with a capacity of 180 seats. The new service, which represents the West Air's first international service, comes on the back of a January 2016 bilateral pledge to grow air connectivity between Singapore and Chongqing.

Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group's Senior Vice-President for Market Development, said, “For Changi Airport, Western China represents exciting untapped growth opportunities. Following the signing of the memorandum of strategic cooperation, we are delighted to welcome the initial fruit of our collaboration through the commencement of West Air’s operation to Changi Airport."

With 32 city links to China, Changi Airport is well-connected to the country. With West Air’s entrance, there are 12 airlines at Changi Airport operating direct services to China, offering some 560 weekly flights between the two countries.