Air New Zealand is celebrating 20 years of flying between Auckland and Shanghai, marking two decades of bringing people together in China and New Zealand.

Since launching on 6 November 2006, the route has carried more than 2.2 million passengers and grown from three flights a week to 10 during the peak summer season, strengthening one of New Zealand’s important connections with China.

Air New Zealand Chief Commercial Officer, Scott Wilkinson, said the anniversary is a proud reminder of the role the airline plays in connecting New Zealand with the global economy.

“For 20 years, we’ve had the privilege of bringing people together across these two cities. Whether it’s families reuniting, students beginning a new chapter, visitors discovering New Zealand for the first time, or Kiwi businesses building critical trade relationships in China, every flight represents an opportunity to connect,” he said.

“A route doesn’t reach this milestone on its own. It takes the people who operate it, the partners who support it, and the customers who choose to fly with us. I want to acknowledge all of them, in New Zealand and China, for being part of this connection. And 20 years on, we’re excited about the opportunities still ahead.

“As we look to the future, our focus is on targeted growth in markets where we see strong customer demand and opportunities to deliver more for New Zealand. China remains an important market for us, and we’re committed to building on this connection to support tourism, trade and the people who rely on it.”

The route is also an important gateway for Chinese visitors, connecting them with experiences and destinations right across New Zealand and that connectivity has been further strengthened through Air New Zealand’s Alliance with Air China, established in 2015.

The Alliance strengthens tourism and trade links between New Zealand and China. Air China connects customers via Beijing and Shanghai to more than 30 destinations across China, while Air New Zealand’s domestic network makes it easy for Chinese visitors to travel around New Zealand.

“From the moment customers step onboard, we have an opportunity to share a little of what makes New Zealand special, before they even arrive,” Wilkinson said. “And through our domestic network, we can help them discover so much more of our country.”

Air New Zealand currently operates daily non-stop services between Auckland and Shanghai on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with flights increasing to ten per week between 23 January and 20 February 2027 to support demand over Chinese New Year.