Air NZ adds capacity on China, Japan routes

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Air New Zealand Ltd, the national carrier, is increasing its international capacity to China and Japan in its Northern winter schedule.

It will increase capacity on flights to Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai by 21.6 per cent with capacity on the Auckland to Beijing route rising 38.6 per cent when its adds a third year-round Boeing 777-200 service from early December.

The airline will add a fourth Boeing 777-200 service on the Auckland to Shanghai route between December and March, boosting capacity by 22.7 per cent, and increase its Auckland to Hong Kong services to nine a week with a Boeing 777-200 operating a daily overnight service between November and mid-December.

"We are the only airline to offer an overnight service from Auckland to Hong Kong, providing customers with a lie-flat option in our Business Premier class, and landing in Hong Kong first thing in the morning, enabling customers to make full use of their day," deputy chief executive Norm Thompson said in a statement.

The airline will also increase its Auckland to Tokyo capacity by 16 per cent by upgrading its daily service from a Boeing 777-200 to a Boeing 747-400, "reflecting our confidence in the return of tourists to New Zealand from this important market," Thompson said.

It will increase its Auckland to Osaka capacity back to normal levels with a Boeing 767-300 operating all services after cutting it earlie this year as a result of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

The airline is also increasing its Auckland to San Francisco capacity by 14.1 per cent using Boeing 747-400 aircraft while its Auckland to Vancouver capacity will rise 10.1 per cent.

Its two remaining Boeing 777-3000 aircraft are due mid-February from when they will be used on all services to and from Los Angeles.

Air New Zealand's shares are trading at $1.12, unchanged from Friday. They peaked at $1.54 in January but have risen from as low as $1.06 in March.