As part of its Joint Venture with Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand has announced it will operate 5 new seasonal flights each week between Christchurch and Singapore. The new service will operate between 1 December 2019 and 22 February 2020 and replace the Singapore Airlines operated seasonal flights that previously operated during that period.
The expansion of the seasonal services under the Air New Zealand / Singapore Airlines Joint Venture (from 3 times per week to 5 times per week) will be welcome news for New Zealand travellers from the South Island. Under the Joint Venture, Air New Zealand passengers get access to the more comprehensive Singapore Airlines network into Asia and the UK and Europe.
Although the seasonal service doesn't correspond with the peak UK / Europe travel period, the Joint Venture Business Class airfares from New Zealand to the UK / Europe have been particularly well priced. For travellers looking to visit family and friends during the Christmas / New Year period, these airfare will appeal (especially given the quality combination of Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines aircraft in use).
The increased frequency of flights also provides more opportunities to visit Singapore, and to use the Singapore Airlines network to connect to other destinations in Asia for business or a holiday. As a direct service it will also benefit those travellers who wish to bypass Auckland Airport.
In the official announcement, Air New Zealand confirmed:
The airline will operate a five times weekly seasonal service between Christchurch and Singapore from 1 December 2019 to 22 February 2020 using new configuration Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Up to now, Singapore Airlines has been operating the seasonal service three times a week, in addition to its daily service between Christchurch and Singapore.
The increase in seasonal services to Christchurch follows approval for the two airlines to extend their alliance for a further five years until March 2024.
The new service goes on sale from 23 January 2019 and the flights can be booked through Fine Travel.