Christchurch Airport expects its biggest international summer, with more than 1.27 million international seats between November and March, 21% more than last summer. Three new Air New Zealand non-stop routes, from Singapore, Tokyo Narita and Perth, make Christchurch a direct gateway to New Zealand's South Island from Asia and Western Australia. Explera DMC New Zealand covers the South Island routing in its guide to Christchurch's international summer. Here we look at what the new links mean for agents who sell more than one destination.
What Has Been Announced
The figures come from a Christchurch Airport media release dated 19 August 2026.
- Air New Zealand adds three non-stop routes to Christchurch, all on Boeing 787-9 aircraft: Singapore from late October, and Tokyo Narita and Perth from late November. The airport says the Tokyo and Perth services run until early May.
- Long-haul seats into Christchurch are up 54% on last summer, and Tasman and Pacific Islands services are up 11%.
- Other carriers are adding capacity too, including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong, China Southern from Guangzhou and United from San Francisco.
Operating days, frequencies and aircraft can change after an announcement. Confirm the flights at quotation.
Why It Matters Beyond New Zealand
Until now, most long-haul visitors reached the South Island through Auckland or an Australian city. The new routes link Christchurch directly to two major Asian hubs.
- Tokyo. A non-stop Tokyo Narita service puts Japan and the South Island one flight apart for the summer season. That makes a Japan and New Zealand combination easier to route, without a backtrack through Auckland.
- Singapore. With Air New Zealand joining Singapore Airlines on the route, clients from across South-East Asia can connect in Singapore straight into Christchurch.
- Perth. Western Australian clients gain a direct route into the South Island.
For agents in Asia, the practical effect is a shorter path to the South Island. For agents selling long-haul combinations, it opens open-jaw itineraries that start in one country and finish in another.
How to Use It in a Quote
- Check the season. The Tokyo and Perth services are announced for the summer only. Outside that window, plan the usual routing.
- Plan the open jaw. Arriving in Christchurch and leaving from another airport saves a day of backtracking. Check the return connection first.
- Hold space early. December to February is New Zealand's domestic peak, and the extra seats arrive in the same weeks.
- Confirm the timetable. New routes can be retimed before launch. Build ground arrangements around confirmed flights.
Our checklist for new long-haul routes covers the same questions for any new service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which new routes is Air New Zealand adding to Christchurch?
Singapore from late October, and Tokyo Narita and Perth from late November, all on Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
How many international seats will Christchurch have this summer?
More than 1.27 million between November and March, 21% more than last summer, according to Christchurch Airport.
Are the new Tokyo and Perth services year-round?
No. The airport says they run until early May.
Where Explera Fits
We plan multi-destination programmes across our destinations: Thailand, Japan, Korea, the Maldives and New Zealand.
Write to b2b@expleradmc.com or message +66 93 656 8090 on WhatsApp. Explera DMC is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (900408341).
