The flag carrier of the isolated South Pacific country of New Zealand, Air New Zealand, has had a challenging year. However, the airline has recently celebrated the return of all of its Boeing 787-9s from long-term storage following Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine troubles. The airline has wasted no time in putting these vital aircraft to use with a list of new international routes.
Using data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, this article will look at the airline’s new short-haul international routes. We will also examine the resumption of long-haul flying from the country’s second-largest city, Christchurch.
The First International Operator To Western Sydney Airport
Credit: Ryan Fletcher | Shutterstock
Air New Zealand will become the first international operator to the long-awaited Western Sydney Airport (WSI). The new airport, located on the outskirts of Penrith, will become Sydney’s second international gateway, and what makes this airport unique is that it will not be restricted to the tight curfew that is experienced at 
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD). You can read more about what this means for Sydney travelers here.
Air New Zealand will launch a three-weekly service from its home at 
Auckland Airport (AKL), with the airline’s Airbus A320neo. It is likely that the airline will test the demand on the route initially, before potentially increasing the frequency of this service. This marks the airline’s seventh year-round destination in the country after Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Seasonal services are also added in the summer months to Cairns, Hobart and Sunshine Coast.
Route
Start Date
Frequency
Aircraft
Notes
Auckland (AKL) to Western Sydney (WSI)
October 26, 2026
3x Weekly
Airbus A320neo
First international operator to the new airport
Long-Haul International Flying Returns To Christchurch
Credit: Phuong D. Nguyen | Shutterstock
Air New Zealand recently announced that after more than six years, it would return to long-haul flying from Christchurch. Christchurch is the second largest city in New Zealand by population, and one of the fastest-growing urban centres. It is home to the second busiest airport in the country, and is the primary gateway to the South Island.
Nonstop long-haul flights with the Boeing 787-9 will return from this October, as the airline resumes a nonstop link to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) from October 28. This route will operate three times a week and will work alongside 
Singapore Airlines daily nonstop flights.
Flying to Japan from the South Island will also get easier, with the airline resuming nonstop flights to 
Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) from November 28. This flight will operate three times a week and will be the only airline operating nonstop flights from Japan to the South Island of New Zealand. Air New Zealand already maintains daily flights from Auckland to Tokyo.
Route
Start Date
Frequency
Aircraft
Notes
Christchurch (CHC) to Singapore (SIN)
October 28, 2026
3x Weekly
Boeing 787-9
Operates alongside alliance partner Singapore Airlines
Christchurch (CHC) to Tokyo Narita (NRT)
November 28, 2026
3x Weekly
Boeing 787-9
Only operator on the route
Christchurch (CHC) to Perth (PER)
November 30, 2026
3x Weekly
Boeing 787-9
Will operate alongside Jetstar Airways seasonal Airbus A321LR service
Perth will return to the Christchurch Airport route map, with not just one, but two airlines for the Southern Hemisphere summer season. Jetstar has already announced it would add seasonal flights from Perth International Airport (PER) to Christchurch, while Air New Zealand will add flights from November 30 with the Dreamliner.
Related
Air New Zealand To Expand Long-Haul Network From Christchurch By Resuming 3 Routes
Perth, Singapore and Tokyo will resume for the Northern Hemisphere winter season.
Two New Routes This Year Already Flying
Credit: Brave Behind the Lenz | Shutterstock
Earlier this year, the Star Alliance carrier added a seasonal link nonstop from the tourist hotspot of Queenstown (ZQN), in the country’s South Island, direct to Brisbane Airport (BNE). This route is operating three times a week with the A320neo and competes head-to-head with Jetstar (seasonal), Qantas, and Virgin Australia.
Route
Start Date
Frequency
Aircraft
Notes
Queenstown (ZQN) to Brisbane (BNE)
June 22, 2026
3x Weekly
Airbus A320neo
Seasonal service
Christchurch (CHC) to Rarotonga (RAR)
May 26, 2026
3x Weekly
Airbus A320neo
Seasonal service
A direct service to the Pacific Islands also launched just in time for those looking to escape cooler winter temperatures. Specifically, Air New Zealand added a seasonal nonstop flight from Christchurch to Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) in May, which will operate three times a week on the A320neo through to October 24. With six routes launched in 2026, it’s certainly been an exciting year for the airline!