Air New Zealand will increase services between China and New Zealand to cash in on the growing passenger traffic between the two countries.

Starting from October 31, the airlines will operate two extra services per week between Shanghai and Auckland on Thursday and Saturday, increasing its weekly operations from three to five.

With the flight number NZ88, the 313-seat Boeing 777-200ER aircraft will leave the Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 14:15 and reach Auckland at 06:50 local time.

The air carrier increased flights to meet the rising demand of the business travelers and tourists boosted by the closer economic and trade relations between China and New Zealand.

The number of Chinese tourists to New Zealand increased by more than 20 percent to 116,000 in the twelve months ended in this June.

"China is a key market for us. We are confident on its future development," said Peter Elmsly, general manager of Air New Zealand in Great China.

Air New Zealand will also introduce double daily services between Hong Kong and Auckland on Friday and Sunday from November 30 to March 2 next year.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2007)