China Airlines ups Auckland summer flights

China Airlines began services to New Zealand about three years ago.

China Airlines is adding more flights and using a bigger plane for flights between Auckland and Taiwan via Brisbane during summer.

The Taiwan-based airline will add an extra 15,000 seats to its existing three times a week services on its Taipei - Brisbane - Auckland route between December and March of next year.

All four of these services will use a Boeing 747-400, which is bigger than the Airbus A330-300 used on the route now.

Charles Spillane, Auckland Airport's acting general manager aeronautical commercial, said China Airlines started its service in New Zealand in January 2011 with three flights on the Taipei - Brisbane - Auckland route per week.

In November 2012, the airline launched four flights per week on the Taipei - Sydney - Auckland route.

The latest increase in flights now means there are a total of eight flights between Taipei and Auckland each week over the summer period.

"This continued growth in seat capacity shows the strong demand China Airlines has experienced in the New Zealand inbound market," said Spillane.

Latest Statistics NZ figures show visitor arrivals up from 20,757 in the year ended June 2013 to 21,555 this year.

"The Australasian market is one of the most important markets for China Airlines. The decision to add capacity on the New Zealand market is a reflection of the growing demand from Taiwan," China Airlines New Zealand general manager, Joseph Wu.