American Airlines to boost NZ economy by $199m every year

American Airlines to boost NZ economy by $199m every year

Auckland Airport welcomes the announcement that American Airlines will start a
daily service between Los Angeles and Auckland in June 2016, using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.

Norris Carter, Auckland Airport’s general manager – aeronautical commercial, says, “The arrival of American Airlines is good news for New Zealand, especially for customers of the oneworld alliance. It also increases airline choice on the Auckland to Los Angeles route and provides much-needed additional seats for the growing number of Americans and New Zealanders travelling between the two countries. We are working with American Airlines to ensure this new service is sustainable and grows tourism between our two countries.”

Auckland Airport estimates that the new American Airlines daily service will boost seat capacity between New Zealand and the United States by 16%, adding 165,000 seats per year and contributing $199 million annually to the New Zealand economy.

“The United States is one of our country’s most important visitor markets and travel destinations. In the year to 30 September 2015, 237,312 Americans visited New Zealand, up 11% on the previous 12 months, and 178,720 New Zealanders visited the United States, up 14%.”

“The American Airlines service will provide convenient connections between Auckland and 200 daily onward flights through Los Angeles, the airline’s main West Coast hub and also improves access to the East Coast of the United States. It will connect Auckland to 57 destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and beyond to London and Sao Paulo.”

“American Airlines will operate its new service to Auckland Airport in partnership with Qantas. We welcome airline alliances that increase air connectivity and provide consumer choice and competition,” says Mr Carter.

ENDS

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