Air NZ to end Christchurch-Tokyo flights
Air New Zealand is scrapping its Christchurch-Tokyo route, sparking criticism from local business leaders and the city’s Mayor.
The airline will axe one of the last remaining long haul flights from Christchurch after announcing there would be no more summer seasonal service.
Air NZ offered year-round flights on the route until 2009, before reducing them to summer service only.
The airline is adding capacity on its Auckland-Tokyo route after it said most passengers had ‘no clear preference to fly into Christchurch’.
While we accept this decision is disappointing for Christchurch tourism stakeholders, the impact on the total number of seats the airline will operate into Christchurch is minimal," Air NZ said in a statement.
Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel said the decision to end the flights ‘makes no sense’ as the route was profitable.
"Air New Zealand need to consider the overall economic impact of their decisions. This isn’t just about plane landings or passenger numbers into a particular airport, it’s about the economic benefit that accrues from having direct international linkages into the South Island," said Peter Townsend, chief executive of the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce.
Air New Zealand said travellers from Japan prefer to fly direct to Auckland and the extra cost of flying direct to Christchurch was not sustainable.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive