New Zealand to use Boeing 787-9 on China flights

Air New Zealand, the world's first buyer of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, chose China to be the newest aircraft's first Asian destination to serve the company's growing market here.

A black aircraft bearing the New Zealand fern and koru - the airline's logo - landed at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on Nov 5 following its inaugural flight from Auckland, and it will be used on the daily direct Shanghai-to-Auckland service beginning in December.

The carrier will receive 10 Boeing 787-9 jetliners over four years, and the new fleet will cover all the daily flights between Shanghai and Auckland in the next two to three years.