Cathay Pacific returns to New Zealand with Boeing 777 flights starting November 27

Cathay Pacific will resume flights between Hong Kong and Auckland with two services a week starting Friday, November 27. The airline describes it as a small but potentially significant step and the announcement comes following the establishment of a full quarantine-free travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore. Cathay's Auckland flights are in addition to the Air New Zealand operated codeshare flights which will continue to work with Cathay Pacific to operate three flights-per-week in November and two flights-per-week in December. Stringent testing and quarantine requirements remain at each end of the flights. Cathay Pacific regional GM – South West Pacific Rakesh Raicar said: "I'm thrilled to be able to share some positive news on the return of Cathay Pacific to New Zealand skies. Although far from business as usual, I'm pleased to say our return is a small but significant step." Exporters will also welcome the flights as freight space out of New Zealand will be tight this summer. The airline had been operating two flights a day to Auckland as well as Christchurch services during last summer, before the pandemic struck. Passengers flying into Auckland on the new flights will need to abide by New Zealand border controls, including reserving and securing their place in a managed isolation facility before they board their flight as part of the New Zealand Government's Managed Isolation Allocation System. Kiwis travelling to Hong Kong undergo a saliva test for Covid-19 on arrival and are required to submit the health declaration result to the staff of the Department of Health.<br/>