Air New Zealand boosts Christchurch connections with year-round Singapore flights and new Bali service
Air New Zealand Chief Executive, Nikhil Ravishankar, says the announcements mark another step in the airline's international growth to and from Christchurch, giving South Islanders more choice and strengthening connections that support tourism and economic growth across the region.
"Christchurch is an important part of Air New Zealand's future, and these new routes reflect the confidence we have here and the opportunities ahead for the South Island.
"More flights and more destinations mean more choice. The South Island has enormous potential, and better international connections help unlock that. They bring visitors into the region, support local businesses, and make it easier for South Islanders to connect with the world.
"We're being deliberate about where we grow, and our partnership with Christchurch Airport is helping us build a stronger international network that will deliver benefits for the region over the long term," says Nikhil Ravishankar.
Christchurch International Airport CEO, Justin Watson, says "This is a great example of our new partnership with Air New Zealand in action. We've committed to working together to grow international connections from Christchurch, and it's exciting to see that already turning into more destinations and more choice for Kiwi."
Christchurch–Bali takes off next winter
South Islanders will have a new tropical escape on their doorstep, with Air New Zealand launching a non-stop service between Christchurch and Denpasar, Bali, over winter 2027.
The new route is expected to operate three times a week through to the end of August, giving customers a direct connection to one of New Zealanders' favourite holiday destinations during the winter months.
"Bali has long been a favourite holiday spot for Kiwi, and we know how appealing a bit of sunshine is in the middle of a South Island winter.
"Being able to fly direct from Christchurch means customers can spend less time connecting through other airports and more time enjoying their holiday. It's another way we're making international travel easier for South Islanders," says Nikhil Ravishankar.
Justin Watson says "Bali is a fantastic addition to our international network and a destination we know South Islanders will be excited about. Being able to fly direct from Christchurch makes getting away on a tropical holiday so much easier.
"Hot on the heels of new Air New Zealand services to Singapore, Tokyo and Perth, this is another big step forward for travellers from Christchurch and the South Island."
Flights on the new Christchurch-Denpasar service are expected to be available to book from later this year.
Christchurch-Singapore goes year-round
Air New Zealand has also confirmed its new non-stop Christchurch-Singapore service will operate year-round, extending beyond its original seasonal schedule and providing South Islanders with a direct connection to one of Asia's major international hubs throughout the year.
The announcement comes just after Air New Zealand's first non-stop Singapore service departed Christchurch, marking the return of wide-body flying between the two cities for the first time in six years.
"This afternoon was a proud moment for our team as we celebrated the return of our Singapore service and we're going a step further by making that connection a permanent part of our international network.
"Singapore is an important gateway for South Islanders, making it easier to explore more of the world while opening another door for international visitors to discover everything the South Island has to offer."
The year-round service also builds on Air New Zealand's long-standing alliance with Singapore Airlines, which provides customers with greater choice and connectivity through Singapore's Changi Airport.
"There's real momentum building in Christchurch, and we're proud to be playing our part in the South Island's growth," Nikhil says.
The announcements are part of Air New Zealand's international expansion from Christchurch, with new seasonal non-stop services to Tokyo Narita and Perth also set to begin in November.
Both routes are subject to regulatory and airport approvals.
ENDS
Issued by Air New Zealand Communications
Email: media@airnz.co.nz │ Phone: +64 21 747 320
About Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand's story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It's a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 9.9 years. Air New Zealand's global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2024, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2025 World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline's laser-focus on safety.
Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia and North America, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline's efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand's loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn Airpoints Dollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.
About Star Alliance
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, based on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless service. Since inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a focus on improving customer experience across the Alliance journey.
The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.
Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 16,000 daily flights to almost 1,200 airports in 186 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partners Juneyao Airlines and THAI Smile Airways.
For more information about Air New Zealand visit www.airnewzealand.com and for more information about Star Alliance visit www.staralliance.com