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Passengers from Australia and New Zealand will have another entry point to South America as China Eastern plans a new route from Shanghai to Buenos Aires via Auckland.
The service, which will operate twice per week starting in December, is in addition to the existing China Eastern services into Auckland, which include a daily non-stop to Shanghai, as well as flights to Hangzhou both non-stop and via Sydney.
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It also means Australians, who have previously needed to enter South America via the US or Santiago, Chile, could now potentially connect through Auckland to Buenos Aires instead.
“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,” said New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
“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.”
According to Carrie Hurihanganui, chair of Auckland Airport, the new route addresses a “big gap” in connectivity between New Zealand and South America, which is down 53 per cent on the pre-COVID period, with the only current connection being LATAM’s services to Santiago.
“That reduction in capacity has contributed to $76.7 million less visitor spend, 32% fewer Kiwi businesses connecting face-to-face in South America and a 16% decline in cargo volumes,” she said.
“While we have rebuilt our aviation connections with China, visitation is still recovering. Additional flights from Shanghai Pudong, a major globally connected hub, supports more travellers not just direct from China but also those connecting via Shanghai from across Asia and Europe into Auckland.
“This new service will reintroduce a direct flight connection between New Zealand and Argentina, enhancing not only tourism, trade and international education, but providing another link home for the 40,000 South Americans who live in New Zealand.”
Auckland Airport has recently upgraded its international transit facilities, and is working on a major project to integrate its domestic and international operations.
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