China Airlines launches Sydney to Auckland route

• China Airlines added its second route to New Zealand’s biggest airport in Auckland (AKL) on 29 October. The airline, which already serves Auckland from Taipei Taoyuan via Brisbane, now also extended its route to Sydney (SYD) to continue across the Tasman Sea. The four weekly flights are operated with A330-300 aircraft and the Taiwanese airline faces considerable competition on the Sydney to Auckland sector. Qantas and Air New Zealand operate 34 weekly flights each, while Emirates operates daily, Lan six times weekly and Jetstar and Virgin Australia each five times a week.