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Direct flights from Manila to New Zealand coming in December


Filipinos will soon be able to book direct flights from Manila to Auckland, New Zealand and back beginning December.

Air New Zealand announced on Tuesday that it will begin offering direct flights between the Philippines and New Zealand.

“The Filipino population in New Zealand has more than tripled since 2001 and is now the third largest Asian ethnic group, with around 40,000 Filipinos resident in New Zealand,” Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon said.

“As the only non-stop service between New Zealand and the Philippines, our flight will be quicker and more convenient for travellers than the fastest current option which flies indirect, potentially saving up to two and a half hours each way,” Luxon added.

Trips to New Zealand is expected to be popular on both ends with flights three times a week via Boeing 767-300 aircrafts with flight time of around 10 and a half hours each way.

“The number of visitors from the Philippines is also continuing to grow rapidly, up more than 20 percent in the past year alone so we’re anticipating that demand for this service will be steady in both directions,” Luxon said.

Tickets are expected to go on sale by mid-2016 subject to government and regulatory approvals. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/JST, GMA News

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