New Zealand

New Zealand will reopen to US citizens in May.

The airline is increasing frequencies to Sydney as well as bringing back flights to Brisbane and Auckland.

The carrier anticipates operating just 15-20% of pre-pandemic capacity on long-haul routes during New Zealand’s winter season.

The country began a staged reopening in November 2021.

New Zealand has entered lockdown to stop the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19.

Hawaiian's US mainland capacity is rebounding from COVID-19, but international flying will take longer.

The carrier hopes to begin two new routes to the country in January after delaying its original launch plans.

A travel bubble between New Zealand and the Cook Islands is scheduled to open on May 17.

The startup had intended to fly routes between New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

Some airlines in the countries are now ramping up Trans-Tasman capacity

The airline is restoring Tasmania to its network after a 23-year absence. The route comes as New Zealand’s government has announced the extension of an air connectivity scheme.

China’s aviation authority has given the go-ahead for a pair of new international passenger services.

Jim Parashos, executive general manager of aviation at Brisbane Airport, discusses the impact of state border restrictions in Australia, the importance of a travel bubble with New Zealand, and the longer-term impacts of the airport’s new runway.

A new COVID-19 case in New Zealand prompts Australia to take action.

Passengers from the Cook Islands can resume quarantine-free travel into New Zealand from Jan. 21.

Carriers in both countries await the establishment of a two-way travel bubble.

Routes analyzes some of the services returning as well as new routes being launched. This week we look at Qantas resuming trans-Tasman flights; Air India expanding with a new Canadian service; and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s latest network addition.

Qantas is looking to take advantage of the relaxation while Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand react more cautiously.

Routes looks at the impact of Air New Zealand’s decision to ground its Boeing 777 fleet for a year.

Air New Zealand’s new CEO Greg Foran has warned that the airline does not expect a return to long-haul flying “of any note” until next year.

Routes' latest update on how airlines and airports across the Asia-Pacific region are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A seven-year alliance between Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia on trans-Tasman routes is to end later this year amid changing "market dynamics".

Growing international trade and improved connectivity are lifting Australia into the ascendant among the general rise of the Pacific nations.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the new service will operate for a three month period between December 1, 2017 and February 28, 2018 and will complement Cathay Pacific’s current seasonal double daily flights to Auckland as well as strategic partner Air New Zealand’s daily service between Hong Kong and Auckland.

Tianjin currently has limited connectivity outside of Asia from Binhai International Airport, but is increasingly being seen as an alternative access point into China’s capital city, Beijing, which is just 120km away and a journey of just 35 minutes by high-speed train.