Auckland International Airport : China Eastern set to launch major China¬ - South America link through AKL

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New Zealand's trade and tourism connectivity has received a major boost with China Eastern Airlines revealing plans to launch a new air service between China and South America via Auckland Airport. Announced today at a ceremony in Shanghai and witnessed by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston, China Eastern Airlines intends to connect from its hub at Shanghai Pudong Airport through Auckland Airport to Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport* from December 2025. The airline, which has flown between China and Auckland for more than a decade, plans to commence operations with an initial two services per week from Shanghai to Auckland, which will fly onward to Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is in addition to its current daily Shanghai to Auckland service. China Eastern Airlines also operate flights from Hangzhou to Auckland and from Hangzhou via Sydney to Auckland. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand's position at the crossroads of the Pacific opens up exciting opportunities to grow global aviation links. "Our government's announcement to make it easier for Chinese travellers to transit via New Zealand makes a route from China via New Zealand a more attractive option for both tourists and airlines. "This new connection to Auckland between the dynamic economies of Asia and South America, is a great step forward and will support a more resilient and diverse aviation network that benefits travellers, trade, and tourism. "As a country we are working hard to grow tourism back to 2019 levels and beyond, because doing so will drive economic growth right across the country. This new route is estimated to bring an additional $48 million in annual visitor spend to New Zealand." China Eastern Airlines Chairman Wang Zhiqing said that since the launch of the Auckland route in 2014, China Eastern has continued to increase capacity on the route, maintaining a strong growth trajectory. Currently, China Eastern is actively supporting the development of Shanghai as an international aviation hub, adhering to the strategy of "flying further, flying internationally, and flying to emerging markets". Leveraging its main hub in Shanghai, the airline is accelerating the construction of a globally connected route network. The new route will connect two continents across the Pacific Ocean, significantly enhancing economic and trade exchan...

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