Auckland Airport welcomes inaugural American Airlines flight

Auckland Airport welcomes inaugural American Airlines flight

Auckland Airport has welcomed its 23rd international airline this morning, with the arrival of the inaugural American Airlines daily flight between Los Angeles and Auckland.

Norris Carter, Auckland Airport’s general manager – aeronautical commercial, says, “We are delighted to welcome American Airlines, one of the world’s largest airlines, to Auckland and we have every confidence that this will be a popular service – especially with customers of the oneworld alliance”.

“This new American Airlines service, operating in partnership with Qantas, increases the choice of airlines flying non-stop between New Zealand and the United States. It also provides much-needed additional seats for the growing number of Americans and New Zealanders travelling between the two countries”.

“American Airlines has more than 100 million people participating in its frequent flyer programme, so this new service will be a great new marketing opportunity for our city and country. And when they come here it will provide a significant boost to both our tourism industry and the wider New Zealand economy,” says Mr Carter.

The United States is one of New Zealand’s most important visitor markets and travel destinations. In the year to 31 May 2016, 255,344 Americans visited New Zealand, up 11% on the previous 12 months, and 175,600 New Zealanders visited the United States, up 2%.

Auckland Airport estimates that the new American Airlines daily service will increase seat capacity between New Zealand and the United States by 16%, adding 165,000 seats per year, and contribute $199 million annually to the New Zealand economy.

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