Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand launch direct Perth-Christchurch flights

Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia will begin a twice-weekly direct flight between Perth and Christchurch beginning in December this year.

The service is slated to run until late April 2014, across what the airlines term as a five-month "peak demand period".

Air New Zealand will operate the flight on one of its Boeing 767 aircraft, with Virgin Australia codesharing, allowing travellers to book with either airline and earn points and status credits with their chosen frequent flyer scheme of Virgin Australia Velocity or Air New Zealand Airpoints.

The flights will depart Christchurch at 3.40pm and Perth at 7.10pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with tickets on sale from 7pm tonight at www.airnewzealand.co.nz and www.virginaustralia.com.

"This is a great time to be linking these two destinations" said Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon. "The West Australian economy continues to grow at a faster rate than the rest of Australia and rebuilding activity is poised to stimulate travel demand within Christchurch and Canterbury."

"Christchurch is also a convenient hub for the whole South Island, particularly now the airport company is providing world class terminal facilities."

The new service will also provide convenient onward connections on the two airlines' networks from both Christchurch and Perth.

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.