KEY POINTS:
Air New Zealand's non-stop service to Beijing is taking off tonight, as the airline looks to expand its operations into the world's fastest growing economy.
The airline is using its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft to fly the route, with a 280 guest VIP flight leaving at 9.20 tonight.
Group General Manager, International Airline, Ed Sims said the direct Beijing service made some of China's most popular tourist attractions, such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City, even more accessible to New Zealand leisure travellers.
"Our Shanghai service has been very successful since we launched it in November 2006 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," said Sims.
"The direct services will also help to promote New Zealand as a single holiday destination, rather than being an add-on to Australia. Last year 64 per cent of Chinese arrivals came to New Zealand via Australia."
Air NZ said China was already a rich source of visitors to New Zealand. It is New Zealand's fourth largest market and one of the fastest-growing. In the year to May 2008, 125,424 Chinese visited New Zealand, up 10,000 visitors on the previous year.
Nearly 40 million Chinese travelled overseas last year.
Long-term prices for the non-stop service start (ex Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch) from $2250, excluding airport taxes.
The flights will leave Auckland on Wednesdays and Fridays, with return flights operating Thursday and Saturday.
