Taiwanese carrier China Airlines (CAL) will launch flights between Melbourne and Auckland from early December.
The SkyTeam carrier will offer service between Melbourne and Auckland with its new-technology Airbus A350-900 widebody aircraft, featuring lie-flat premium business class seats, premium economy and full-service economy.
The service will operate as a seasonal tag to China Airlines’ flights from Taipei to Melbourne and will provide Australian and New Zealand-based passengers with a new option to cross the Tasman.
Taking capacity in the Auckland market back to 100 per cent of pre pandemic levels, the new flights will add more than 3,000 seats a week to the route in time for the busy summer holiday period.
In Taipei for the announcement, Melbourne Airport chief of aviation, Jim Parashos, said the new service would increase competition across the Tasman and help put downward pressure on fares.
“Having a fourth airline on this important route is fantastic news for travellers because of the extra choice it offers in both product and schedule,” he said.
“China Airlines is making the most of what would otherwise be down time for its aircraft in Melbourne to operate this new service, and it’s a great result for consumers.
Flight CI057 will operate every day except Monday and Saturday, departing Melbourne at 1340 and arriving in Auckland at 1905.
The return CI058 service will depart Auckland at 2105 and arrive into Melbourne at 2255 before continuing on to Taipei at 0025.
