Air New Zealand has seen a huge surge in interest to travel to Japan as the country rolls out the welcome mat to tourists.
Today, Japan resumes visa-free entry enabling free independent travel for the first time in over two and a half years with the country lifting its border restrictions for visitors who have been triple vaccinated or taken a pre-departure Covid test. The daily entry cap has also been removed.
Air New Zealand General Manager Longhaul Scott Carr says Japan is hugely important to New Zealand and to Air New Zealand.
“Kiwis have been flying to Japan on our aircraft since 1980, and over the years have built up a real affinity and affection for Japan. We kept flying to Japan during Covid – to maintain connectivity and keep New Zealand exports moving to this important market, and we are extremely excited to be able to fly customers to and from Tokyo again.
“Following the news that Japan’s border will reopen to tourists, we saw a strong uptick in interest and bookings from Kiwis. No surprise there given Japan is often top of people’s travel bucket lists. Attracting Japanese tourists to New Zealand is also our focus with plans in place to market New Zealand as a key destination for Japanese.”
In 2019, Japan was New Zealand’s fifth-largest international visitor market with 100,000 visitors arriving from Japan. Those visitors spent around $277 million in New Zealand, supporting local tourism and hospitality industries. Most Japanese visitors travel directly to New Zealand on Air New Zealand.
Air New Zealand operates three non-stop flights between Auckland and Tokyo each week. Flight frequencies will increase to six times a week from December 12 before returning to a daily service from February 13, 2023. Pre-Covid, Air New Zealand operated 13 return flights to Japan every week through New Zealand’s high season.
“Japan is also a key market for our exporters. In the last year, we carried 3.6 million kilograms of fresh produce and meat into Japan – with capsicums, tomatoes, beef and lamb and seafood being top exports.
“The reopening couldn’t be better timed for Kiwis wanting to get up to Japan with autumn being a major tourism season. The ski season which falls over the New Zealand summer is also fast approaching.
“Japan is a real wonder to visit, regardless of when you go. Whether it’s Kyoto turning golden in autumn, winter skiing on the slopes of Hokkaido or catching the Sakura (cherry blossoms) in spring, there’s always something to see and do. And the Japanese are wonderfully consummate hosts and of course, the food is amazing.”
easyjet launches ambitious net-zero program
Cathay Pacific Airways welcomes end to HK quarantine
About AirlineRatings.com
Airlineratings.com was developed to provide everyone in the world a one-stop shop for everything related to airlines, formed by a team of aviation editors, who have forensically researched nearly every airline in the world.
Our rating system is rated from one to seven stars on safety – with seven being the highest ranking. Within each airline, you will find the country of origin, airline code, booking URL and seat map information. The rating system takes into account a number of different factors related to audits from aviation’s governing bodies, lead associations, as well as the airlines, own safety data. Every airline has a safety rating breakdown so you can see exactly how they rate.
Over 230 of the airlines on the site that carry 99 per cent of the world’s passengers have a product rating. Given that low-cost, regional and full-service carriers are so different we have constructed a different rating system for each which can be found within each airline
