Air New Zealand's starts Auckland-Beijing service

AIR New Zealand's has launched its first non-stop service between Auckland and Beijing, using Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.

Air New Zealand services from Auckland to Beijing operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays with the return flights operating on Thursdays and Saturdays. The flight departs Auckland at 21.20 hrs.

The service will increase to three flights a week later in December, a company statement said.

Air New Zealand group general manager International Airline Ed Sims said: "Our Shanghai service has been very successful, and we're looking forward to Beijing building to a similar level. It expands on our increasingly close relationship with China, providing us and the whole of the New Zealand tourism industry the chance to take a slice of the Chinese market."