Air New Zealand will launch a Tokyo/Narita–Christchurch route on November 27.
The airline will operate three round-trip flights per week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The route will be served by the newly configured Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Flight time is 11 hours from Tokyo/Narita and 11 hours 35 minutes from Christchurch. This marks the resumption of service for the first time in about 11 years, since March 2015. The operation period is scheduled until May 8, 2027.
New Zealand’s South Island, where Christchurch Airport is located, is home to many nature-rich tourist attractions, including Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand, the star sanctuary of Tekapo, some of the world’s most easily accessible glaciers, and Milford Sound.
With the launch of this route, passengers will no longer need to transfer to domestic flights in Auckland, improving convenience.
■ Timetable NZ52 Tokyo/Narita (16:00) – Christchurch (07:10+1) / November 27 NZ52 Tokyo/Narita (21:40) – Christchurch (12:50+1) / Tue, Thu, Sat (November 28 – April 1, 2027) NZ52 Tokyo/Narita (21:40) – Christchurch (11:50+1) / Tue, Thu, Sat (April 3, 2027 – May 8, 2027) NZ51 Christchurch (12:35) – Tokyo/Narita (20:10) / Tue, Thu, Sat (November 28 – April 3, 2027) NZ51 Christchurch (11:35) – Tokyo/Narita (20:10) / Tue, Thu, Sat (April 6, 2027 – May 8, 2027)
