Air NZ launches first non-stop flight to the Philippines

Air NZ launches first non-stop flight between NZ and the Philippines

By Fiona Rotherham

April 6 (BusinessDesk) - Air New Zealand is launching year-round direct flights to Manila in the Philippines from December in a move the tourism industry says will help meet its goal of growing total annual revenue to $41 billion by 2025.

The service will operate three times a week using Boeing 767-300 aircraft with a flight time of 10.5 hours each way.

Air NZ chief executive Christopher Luxon said the Filipino population in New Zealand has more than tripled since 2001 and is now the third largest Asian ethnic group at around 40,000 residents while the number of visitors from the Philippines is also up more than 20 percent in the past year alone.

“As the only non-stop service between New Zealand and the Philippines, our flight will be quicker and more convenient for travellers than the fastest current option which flies indirect, potentially saving up to two and a half hours each way,” he said.

The addition of Manila brings the total number of Air New Zealand’s international destinations to 32.

The tourism industry’s Tourism 2025 growth framework identifies increases in sustainable air connectivity as critically important to boosting the industry’s value, from its current $30 billion a year to $41 billion.

Tourism Industry Association chief executive Chris Roberts said six Filipino travel buyers were attending TRENZ 2016, the New Zealand tourism industry’s annual international trade event, in Rotorua next month and today’s announcement of permanent direct flights will only boost their interest.

Tickets will go on sale mid-year, subject to government and regulatory approvals.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges said the service creates the first non-stop link between the two countries.

“Last year nearly 21,000 New Zealanders travelled to the Philippines and more than 19,000 Filipinos visited New Zealand so it’s clear there’s growing demand for this service.”

In December last year, Philippine Airlines began operating a service between Manila and Auckland, via Cairns, four times a week.

(BusinessDesk)

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