China Eastern is expanding connectivity between China, New Zealand and South America this summer, as it reveals that its Shanghai–Auckland–Buenos Aires route will operate four times weekly from Dec—a doubling of current capacity.
The increase comes a year after the route launchedand coincides with continued growth between Auckland and mainland China. Seat capacity on the route is forecast to increase 8% year-on-year through to the end of Oct 2026.
. . . Sth America Up
It also comes as local South America demand increases. Auckland Airport’s chief customer officer Scott Tasker says 22% more Kiwi travellers are travelling to Argentina now the direct flight connection is available.
“Since launching, this service has quickly become an important link between China, New Zealand and South America,” says Tasker. This travel has also been bolstered by LATAM Airlines’ services to Santiago, with the number of Kiwis visiting Chile Dec 2025-Mar 2026 growing 20% year-on-year.
