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Tourism and hospitality minister Louise Upston and immigration minister Erica Stanford have welcomed the arrival of China Eastern Airlines’ new service connecting Shanghai, Auckland and Buenos Aires, marking a significant milestone for tourism and international travel.
Alongside its existing daily Shanghai–Auckland flights, China Eastern will now operate twice-weekly services linking China and South America via Auckland.
“It’s great to see this new route launching between Asia and South America via New Zealand, improving air connectivity and supporting travel, trade and tourism,” Upston says.
Speaking from the tarmac at Auckland Airport, Louise says she is pleased to see the airport continue to grow as a hub for international travellers, noting that improved air connectivity is essential for New Zealand’s economic growth.
“We are very firmly focused on growing tourism beyond 2019 levels and China Eastern’s Southern Link marks a new milestone for New Zealand as a tourism and trade gateway.
“International tourism is a crucial part of this Government’s focus on economic growth and building the future for our country. We’ve taken a number of steps both to boost visitor numbers and make it easier for people to come and enjoy everything New Zealand has to offer.”
Stanford says streamlined entry requirements are supporting the effort to grow visitor numbers.
“We’ve already streamlined the experience for Chinese visitors who can now transit via New Zealand on a NZeTA without having to apply for a separate transit visa.
“Our immigration settings play a critical role in strengthening our country’s economic future. We are focused on delivering smart and responsive immigration solutions to support that,” she says.
