Air New Zealand marks 20 years of flying between Auckland and Shanghai, this month—and there’s no signs of slowing on the route, which has grown to 10 weekly flights during the peak summer season.
NZ was the first airline to commence non-stop flying between AKL and PVG on 06 Nov 2006. Flights operated thrice-weekly on a 313-seat 777, with a Mandarin-speaking cabin crew and Chinese-influenced cuisine on board. Daily services began in 2013 and the 787-9 debuted on the route in 2014.
NZ’s chief commercial officer Scott Wilkinson says that as NZ looks to the future, its focus is on targeted growth in markets where it sees strong customer demand and opportunities to deliver more for New Zealand.
. . . Agent Winners
NZ is congratulating the 20 travel agents who won return flights to Shanghai in its recent PVG incentive. They are: Leena Bhikharidas from Aspire Travel; Cameron Dellow, The Travel Hub; Tony Wilson, Corporate Traveller; Jemma Vinsen, TMG; Jolene John HoT; Sian Loh, You Travel; Ying Xu, Worldwide Holidays; Jennie Poole, FCL; Louise Saunders, Orbit; Kylie Davis, David Andrews and Lynda Matoe, all HoT; Flight Centre’s Melanie Mitchell and Tyla McWilliams; Belinda Wilson, Pukekohe Travel; Jessica Goodhope, FCM; Angela Hunt, Nightingale & Turner Travel Associates; Briarna Moore, World Travellers Galaxy Travel; Gabrielle Clark, World Travellers; and Nadina Connock from Orbit.
NZ says it fielded ‘hundreds of entries’ for its 20 Years of Shanghai Magic, 20 Chances to Go! incentive, which invited agents to share a Shanghai wish or memory. “The stories celebrated the city’s food, culture and skyline, and showed the enthusiasm of [NZ’s] travel trade partners.”
Through NZ’s alliance with Air China, NZ customers can also connect to more than 30 destinations across Chinam adds the carrier.
