The NZ summer is attracting the seasonal schedule adjustments for multiple airlines with additional services added and upsizing of aircraft types.
In addition to this, Cathay Pacific have for the first time introduced services to the South Island's largest international airport, Christchurch, with a thrice weekly Airbus A350-900 service from/to Hong Kong. Flights will operate through the Garden City on Monday, Thursday and Saturday with the first CX123/126 being operated 02 December 2017 by B-LRU. The last service is planned to depart 1 March 2018.
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| B-LRU arriving at Christchurch 02 December 2017. |
From 11 December 2017, New Zealand will have 38 flights per week to Hong Kong with daily services offered by Air New Zealand from Auckland, twice daily with Cathay Pacific (morning service operated by Airbus A350 and noon service operated by Boeing 777-300) and twice daily with Hong Kong Airlines (Airbus A330-200) in addition to the three Cathay Pacific Christchurch services.
The visit by B-LRU to Christchurch marked a first of type visitor to the South Island international hub.
Cathay Pacific now has 21 Airbus A350-900's in service with two more on order. The newest example, B-LRV, operated the first morning Auckland service arriving 02 December as CX199/118.
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| B-LRT departs Auckland 01 December 2017 following its first visit to NZ. |
