Latest news with #AirNewZealand
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Air New Zealand, Air China, & Tourism NZ Announce Strategic Investment To Boost Chinese Travel Demand To Aotearoa
In a step to further support the revitalisation of Chinese tourism to New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Air China, and Tourism New Zealand have today announced a partnership aimed at strengthening travel from China to New Zealand. The tripartite partnership will see nearly half a million NZD invested from the three organisations going toward stimulating inbound tourism from China, in addition to Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand's existing investments in the market. Over the next 12 months, Air New Zealand will invest more than $700,000 in marketing through strategic partnerships – an addition to the airline's significant and ongoing marketing commitment in China. The new funding will be used to support a marketing campaign to drive greater awareness of New Zealand as a preferred destination for Chinese travellers. It is also an opportunity to highlight the longstanding alliance between Air New Zealand and Air China launched in 2015, which has provided greater connectivity, codeshare convenience, and a seamless customer experience for travellers between China and New Zealand. China is New Zealand's third largest source of international visitors, comprising around 8% of total visitor arrivals. In the year to March 2025, 248,000 Chinese travellers visited New Zealand, up 18 per cent on the prior year. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said the airline's service between Shanghai and Auckland are going from strength to strength. "China is an incredibly important market for us, and we're proud of the role our Shanghai service has played in connecting people, cargo, and cultures over the past decade. This joint investment is an opportunity to further stimulate travel demand to encourage growth in inbound tourism from China to New Zealand. 'We're looking forward to having our brand-new cabins on our 787 aircraft flying to Shanghai on occasion, offering Chinese customers the opportunity to be among the first to experience our enhanced onboard experience. From October, we'll see a 33% increase in premium seats on the Shanghai–Auckland route, giving customers even more opportunity to travel with additional space and comfort to New Zealand." Mr. Ma Chongxian, the Chairman of CNAH, expressed confidence in the recovery of China-New Zealand market and the alliance partnership between Air China and Air New Zealand. 'New Zealand market has always been the key focus in our Asia-Pacific network. We have deeply engaged in Beijing-Auckland service since 2015. As our strategic alliance with Air New Zealand reinforces the mutual trust and support, our network, products and services have been optimized along the way. The partnership has played a positive role in jointly promoting economic and trade growth and fostering cross-cultural communication between China and New Zealand. 'Embracing the second decade of China-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the tenth anniversary of the alliance partnership between Air China and Air New Zealand, we would like to join Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand in further facilitating market recovery and expanding collaborations to deepen practical cooperation and improve customer experience.' Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy said there is an audience of around 60 million people in China 'actively considering' a holiday to New Zealand. 'We're looking forward to working with Air New Zealand and Air China to get them booking trips to come and enjoy destination New Zealand sooner rather than later.' He said Chinese visitors were drawn to New Zealand's culture, friendliness, and natural scenery including mountains and lakes, hiking and national parks. "China's travel behaviour evolves rapidly. For example, we are seeing growth in smaller visitor groups that are staying for longer and getting out to enjoy more experiences and visit more regions.' New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said: 'This partnership between Air New Zealand, Air China, and Tourism New Zealand is another step toward turbocharging New Zealand's tourism recovery and growth. As we work to rebuild our visitor economy, stimulating demand from key markets like China, which was our largest inbound tourism market pre-Covid, is essential to creating jobs, supporting businesses, and strengthening communities across the country. This strategic investment will not only boost awareness of Aotearoa as a unique and welcoming destination but also deepen the connections between our peoples and cultures. We are committed to backing initiatives that bring more visitors here, ensuring tourism continues to be a driver of prosperity for all New Zealanders.' This initiative reaffirms the strong commitment from both airlines and New Zealand's tourism sector to support economic recovery and reestablish vital people-to-people ties between the two nations.
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- General
- RNZ News
Flight lands safely at Hawke's Bay Airport after Fire and Emergency callout
File pic Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Fire and Emergency (FENZ) was on standby at Hawke's Bay Airport on Friday morning at the request of an inbound Air New Zealand flight. However, around 8am the flight landed safely, an Air New Zealand spokesperson said. "The crew operating NZ5025 from Auckland to Napier this morning received a maintenance alert during the service," the spokesperson said. Chief operating officer Alex Marren said emergency services were called in line with standard operating procedure after such an alert. The aircraft landed safely and the airline's maintenance team would now inspect the aircraft before it was returned to service. FENZ shift manager Chris Dalton earlier said three crews were at the airport as a precaution after an aircraft indicated a possible "situation on board". He said larger airports had their own fire brigades, but in regional areas FENZ was called in to help. Dalton said there had been no suggestion of an emergency. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
18 hours ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Plane lands safely as fire crews on standby
An Air New Zealand plane landed safely despite Fire and Emergency being on standby at Hawke's Bay Airport this morning. Fire and Emergency (FENZ) was on standby at Hawke's Bay Airport this morning at the request of an inbound flight. However, around 8am the flight landed safely, an Air New Zealand spokesperson said. "The crew operating NZ5025 from Auckland to Napier this morning received a maintenance alert during the service," they said. "As a precaution and in line with standard operating procedures, emergency services were on standby at Napier Airport. The aircraft landed safely and our maintenance team will now inspect the aircraft before it can return to service." Shift manager Chris Dalton earlier said three crews were at the airport as a precaution after an aircraft indicated a possible "situation on board". He said larger airports had their own fire brigades, but in regional areas FENZ was called in to help. Dalton said there had been no suggestion of an emergency.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Island nation flooded with 14m tourists on no-travel list after major disaster
Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Juneyao Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Australia have cancelled flights to Indonesia after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted Large parts of the biggest island nation in the world have been placed on the UK Foreign Office's no-travel list. On Tuesday, dozens of flights to and from the Indonesian resort island of Bali were cancelled or delayed after one of the country's most active volcanoes erupted. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, on the island of Flores, belched an ash tower more than 11 km (6.8 miles) into the sky. Authorities have raised the highest alert level and told residents to avoid activities within a 7 km radius around the crater. Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Juneyao Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Australia were among the airlines that cancelled flights to and from Bali, located west of Flores. Now the UK's Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Brits heading to or in Indonesia. It advises against all travel to a number of volcanoes in Indonesia. They are: Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province: to within 7 km of the crater Mount Sinabung, Karo Regency, North Sumatra: to within 5 km of the crater Mount Marapi, West Sumatra: to within 3 km of the crater Mount Semeru, Lumajang Regency, East Java: to within 5 km of the crater In the southeast of Mount Semeru: to within 500 m from any riverbank of the Besuk Kobokan river for 13 km from the crater Mount Ruang, Northern Sulawesi: to within 7 km of the crater Mount Ibu, North Maluku Province: to within 7 km of the crater As well as potentially putting yourself in harm's way, not following Foreign Office travel advice can invalidate your travel insurance. The tiny paradise island of Bali, celebrated for its unspoilt beaches and vibrant nightlife, has experienced a surge in visitors lately despite serious cautions from travel advisers. The destination made headlines last year as it attracted an impressive 6.3 million international travellers, outstripping the numbers seen before COVID struck. In total, Indonesia welcomed in 13.9 million tourists last year, according to Mainly Australians flock to the tourism magnet, drawn by their neighbouring status. Nevertheless, just last month, on May 30, Australian officials updated their guidance on visiting Indonesia due to a spate of unsettling incidents, including drowning and methanol poisoning. The Australian government now advises its compatriots to "exercise a high degree of caution" in the archipelago, warning: "Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks. Cases of methanol poisoning in drinks have previously been reported in Indonesia, including in Bali and Lombok." The UK's Foreign Office has similar advice: "Do not leave [your drinks] unattended. Do not accept drinks from strangers at clubs or parties. Tourists have been assaulted or robbed after taking visitors to their hotel rooms, and in some cases have found that their drinks were spiked." To lower the risks of drinking methanol, the Foreign Office advises purchasing alcohol only from reputable licensed shops or bars, ensuring bottle seals are unbroken. Look out for shoddy labels or misspellings on bottles and steer clear of home-brewed spirits.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Air NZ's bali flights resume after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki eruption
Photo: STR/AFP Air New Zealand says its flight to Bali today will operate as planned. The airline cancelled two flights on Wednesday because of an ash cloud from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki. Indonesian authorities said ash was fired up to 11km into the atmosphere. There were no immediate reports of damages or casualties. Indonesia's transport ministry said some 14,000 travellers had been affected by the eruption Air New Zealand said flight NZ290 from Auckland to Bali will operate as scheduled, but the airline is continuing to closely monitor the conditions. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1584-metre-high twin-peaked volcano on the tourist island of Flores, is one of Indonesia's most active volcanos, and last had a major eruption in November. That eruption killed nine people and also caused flight cancellations.
