China Southern Airlines begins direct daily service to Guangzhou today

From today, China Southern Airlines will operate the first direct daily service between China and New Zealand. The service will operate between Guangzhou and Auckland – allowing more New Zealand businesses to engage with this thriving trade region with a GDP of US $133.5 billion.

Guangzhou, formerly Canton, is China's third largest city and is already an important trade region for many New Zealand businesses. The increase in services between the two cities, from three times a week to daily, will open up more of China to New Zealand tourism and trade – adding an additional 90,000 passenger seats per year.

According to Pat English, New Zealand Consul-General and Trade Commissioner for New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) in Guangzhou, believes direct daily flights will increase the number of trade opportunities in China available to New Zealand businesses.

"Southern China has historically had strong links with New Zealand, however it’s only been in recently years that the economic return from these links are having an increasing impact. China is now New Zealand’s second largest trading partner and we hope to double two-way trade with China to $20 billion by 2015. Currently more than a third of New Zealand’s exports to China are destined for Guangdong province and surrounding provinces, so daily flights will help open up doors for more New Zealand businesses," he says.

"Sectors such as tourism, education, are increasingly being supported by aviation, telecommunications, specialised manufacturing, Food and Beverage and agricultural technology. The New Zealand China Free trade agreement has contributed strongly to this growth, supported by greater engagement of New Zealand companies and industry organisations."

Glenn Wedlock, Auckland Airport's General Manager Aeronautical Commercial, says increasing air connections to high-growth markets like China is essential for New Zealand's economic success.

“Auckland Airport is strongly focused on increasing air services and direct routes, particularly in the booming Asian markets, as it means greater success for key industries like tourism and commerce. There is a proven link between regular air services and economic growth, and it’s predicted that this increased direct service to Guangzhou will boost New Zealand’s economy by an estimated $100 million from in-bound tourism,” he says.

"China and its people have become significantly important to New Zealand, with the number of Chinese visitors into Auckland Airport in 2011 increasing by 26.5 percent compared with 2010 – and we expect that growth trend to continue."

The increased service will also help push China ahead of the United States as New Zealand’s third largest tourism market in the near future.

Tourism New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Kevin Bowler says the new daily service between Guangzhou and Auckland will benefit New Zealand’s travel industry significantly.

“The increased frequency of flights supports the high level of interest in China of New Zealand as a tourism destination. Projections show that we can expect a dramatic rise in Chinese visitors over the next few years, so the daily service will enable greater choice and make it easier for travellers wishing to visit New Zealand."

“Our research shows that while plenty of people know about New Zealand, and might have it on their personal list of places to visit, having a daily flight option can convert that interest into action. We look forward to welcoming even more Chinese visitors to New Zealand,” he says.

China Southern Airlines has already spent more than $10 million promoting New Zealand as a tourism destination for Chinese travellers, which will add to the more than 123,000 Chinese that currently visit New Zealand each year. In addition, tourism trends and industry research now indicate an increasing number of Chinese travellers who are high net-worth, have high-spending patterns and are prepared to pay premium prices for a high-quality, unique tourism experience or product.

China Southern Airlines is the world's third largest airline as measured by passengers carried and Asia's largest airline in terms of both fleet size and passengers carried. The airline flies to 121 destinations and has a fleet of 422 aircraft, including the new A330-200 aircraft that will fly between Auckland and Guangzhou. These planes have 10 tonne capacity for freight each way and the capability to transport perishable goods.

Flight time from Auckland to Guangzhou is approximately 11.5 hours.