China Airlines to launch seasonal link from Melbourne to Auckland

China Airlines is adding a new seasonal service from Melbourne to Auckland in December. Functioning as a tag to the Taiwanese carrier’s existing Melbourne-Taipei service, the A350-900 flights, which will operate every day except Monday and Saturday, are expected to add more than 3,000 seats per week between Melbourne and Auckland in time for the summer holiday period. The flights will depart Melbourne at 1:40pm, arriving at 7:05pm local time before returning to Taipei via Melbourne at 9:05pm local time. Each China Airlines A350-900 offers 306 seats: 32 business class, 31 premium economy, and 243 economy. The Melbourne-Auckland route is currently served by Air New Zealand, Qantas and Jetstar. According to Melbourne Airport’s chief of aviation, Jim Parashos, the addition of a fourth airline will offer extra choice in product and schedule on the Melbourne-Auckland route. “The launch of this new service will coincide with the start of the December school holidays meaning hundreds more seats are available just when families need them most,” he said.<br/>