New air-service arrangement signed between New Zealand and China

China and New Zealand negotiated (17-Apr-2012) a new air services agreement meaning the constraint on growth in services between the two nations has been removed allowing up to three daily services each way by each nation up from only one daily service under the old arrangement. The move was welcomed by Auckland Airport, with GM corporate affairs Charles Spillane stating, "With China Southern Airlines already flying daily, and with Air New Zealand flying between five and seven times a week, depending on the season, New Zealand's economic growth potential was being constrained. This announcement offers a major medium-term opportunity for New Zealand to achieve some of its big tourism and trade goals". [more - original PR]