Christchurch Airport (CHC) is preparing to welcome its first Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) since its pandemic-induced suspension in 2020.
The service, landing on Saturday afternoon, will mark the resumption of seasonal flights between the two cities, operating through the summer until February 29, 2024. Initially launched back in 2017, the service quickly became a hit with tourists traveling to Hong Kong or connecting to onward destinations, with over 65,000 passengers flying on the route across 275 flights.
The resumed flights, designated CX123 and CX126, will see Cathay Pacific deploy its Airbus A350 widebodies thrice weekly. Capacity appears to be slightly lower than initially offered during the 2019 to 2020 travel season, totaling around 10,080 seats each way, down from its pre-pandemic peak of 16,200 seats.
Services at the airport remain around 30% lower than in 2019, with 23 international departures scheduled each week in December.
Service details
At 5,857 miles (9,426 km), flights are expected to take 11 hours and 15 minutes on the outbound service from Hong Kong, departing the city at 21:05 HKT and arriving in Christchurch at 13:20 NZDT the following afternoon. Cathay Pacific’s return leg is scheduled to take 11 hours and 30 minutes, taking off from Christchurch at 14:50 NZDT arriving back in Hong Kong for 21:20 HKT the same evening.
In a statement shared on Friday, Christchurch Airport CEO Justin Watson praised the added connection, noting it was the first seasonal service to return to the city since 2020. Watson explained,
“This is another historic date for the relationship between the airline and the airport. The first seasonal service between the two cities began in December 2017. The service was paused during the pandemic, but when its return was announced the demand led to the airline deciding to put on a larger aircraft to meet the need.”
Cathay Pacific Regional General Manager Frosti Lau expressed a similar enthusiasm for the resumption of flights between Hong Kong and Christchurch, outlining the positive economic impact for both cities.
“This is our first seasonal service to return post-pandemic, so is proof of our dedication to the route, people and businesses of the South Island.”
Growth in New Zealand
Christchurch is notably one of the largest airports of origin for transfer passengers arriving in the United Kingdom, with over 2,500 round-trip passengers flying with Cathay Pacific between Christchurch and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) via Hong Kong in 2020.
Through the 2023 to 2024 travel season, Cathay Pacific will compete directly against Emirates and Singapore Airlines on the London-bound route.
Also recently added to the airport’s fixtures is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), operated by United Airlines. The service, launched on December 10, is currently the only direct connection between New Zealand’s South Island and the United States. Services are scheduled to operate three times a week, with United Airlines deploying its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners on the long-haul jaunt.