New Zealand's Transport Minister Simon Bridges stated (13-Jun-2017) the country is "in a strong position to attract airlines, with a liberal international air transport policy that allows most major airlines to operate services to New Zealand without restriction". Mr Bridges noted New Zealand attracted 404,384 inbound tourist arrivals from China for the year ending 31-Mar-2017, an increase of 7% year-on-year. Chinese nationals spent approximately NZD1.5 billion (USD1.1 billion) for the period. The Minister noted that the addition of the new Sichuan Airlines service "raises the number of airlines now operating from China to New Zealand from five to six", and praised it as "a testament to the success of our International Air Transport Policy, which provides additional opportunities for these airlines". [more - original PR]
New Zealand Transport Minister: Sichuan Airlines service a testament to intl air transport policy
13 June, 2017