Signs that Cathay Pacific will extend its NZ operations to Christchurch

Speculation is growing that Cathay Pacific will announce a seasonal service between Hong Kong and Christchurch. The airline has a joint venture with Air NZ and flies from its Hong Kong base to Auckland but has been under pressure to extend its operations to the southern city. CAPA says the airlines backed away from Hong Kong to Christchurch flights following the approval of the alliance that dates back to 2012. But Air NZs joint venture with SIA resulted in SIA growing its presence in Christchurch. ''Cathay has been more frugal, and the New Zealand govt determined that although the joint venture reduced competition, there was no prospective third competitor, so no harm done. But now that Hong Kong Airlines has entered Auckland, and then expanded, the Cathay-Air NZ JV faces disbanding,'' CAPA says. <br/>