Hainan Airlines (HU) is returning to New Zealand on June 17th for the first time since the pandemic, reconnecting Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) to Auckland International Airport (AKL) twice a week over winter.

The carrier will become the fourth Chinese carrier to resume services to New Zealand, with China Eastern operating to Shanghai, China Southern to Guangzhou already operating, and Air China recommencing its connection to Beijing on May 2nd.

szx akl
Source: GCMap

Hainan Airlines intends to operate its Airbus A330-300 on its direct flight to Auckland, equipped with what's widely reported as 'China's Best business class.' With a search on the airline's website, the carrier's schedule for July shows two direct services a week, departing on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Hainan's schedule to Auckland:

  • HU7931, departing Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) at 02:45, arriving at Auckland International Airport (AKL) at 18:10, a flight time of 11 hours and 25 minutes.
  • HU7932, departing Auckland International Airport (AKL) at 21:15, arriving at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) at 05:00 the following morning, a flight time of 11 hours and 45 minutes.
Hainan Airlines Airbus A330-300 aircraft B-6527
Photo: Thiago B Trevisan / Shutterstock

As reported by the New Zealand news outlet, Stuff, Scott Tasker, Chief Customer Officer at Auckland Airport, stated:

“Hainan Airlines returning on 17 June on the Shenzhen to Auckland route is fantastic news,” said Tasker.

“Shenzhen is a top-tier visitor source market that performed strongly prior to Covid, and we’re looking forward to having a direct connection again back to the city.

“With Air China renewing services on 2 May from Beijing to Auckland, and Hainan Airlines returning in June, Auckland Airport will have five airlines operating 27 flights per week to four destinations in mainland China.”

Find more news about Asian aviation here.

Not its first time

As noted, Hainan Airlines operated in Auckland before the pandemic. Its inaugural scheduled service touched down in Auckland on January 1st, 2017, once operating three times per week.

Only Sichuan Airlines is missing.

Comparing operations from mainland China, only Sichuan Airlines (3U) is now missing at Auckland Airport. Before COVID-19, the airline operated direct flights from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) to Auckland.

Including Hong Kong, five gateways are on offer for passengers looking to travel to China, including:

  • Air China (CA), operating direct to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) - restarting on May 2nd.
  • Air New Zealand (NZ), taking off for Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
  • Cathay Pacific (CX), working with its alliance partner Air New Zealand operating flights direct from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
  • China Eastern (MU), transporting passengers between Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
  • China Southern (CZ), connecting from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
  • Hainan Airlines (HU) restarting its Auckland connection direct from Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) on June 17th.
China to AKL
Source: GCMap

Looking at the South Island, Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is still missing its direct Guangzhou connection. China Southern once operated the route before the pandemic, with multiple weekly flights scheduled with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline has not announced any intentions of resuming the service soon.

Sources: Auckland Airport, Stuff.co.nz

  • Shenzhen Airlines Boeing 737 Getty
    Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    SZX/ZGSX
    Country:
    China
    CEO:
    Guang Ze Du
    Passenger Count :
    36,358,185 (2020)
    Runways :
    15/33 - 3,400m (11,154ft) | 16/34 - 3,800m (12,467ft)
    Terminals:
    Terminal A | Terminal B