‘We have been able to pivot some of the budget out of China and that means we have been able to triple our marketing budget in New Zealand,' says Shane Hodges, managing director Asia Pacific Sales at American Airlines. Malcolm Johns, chief executive Christchurch International Airport, pointed out that American Airlines has 100 million people on its database – and 20 million have the South Island on their ‘bucket list’.

Johns says that while the inbound interest is huge it is also imperative for the trade to promote outbound travel on the flights. ‘Offer American Airlines to your clients as a genuine option to the United States out of the South Island. Getting a year round service is our goal.’ Attendees had a trip around Christchruch in American classic cars as well as drinks, food and speeches at Novotel Christchurch Airport. American Airlines’ new seasonal service will operate from October 2020 through to March 2021, flying direct between Christchurch (CHC) and Los Angeles (LAX) three times a week on a Boeing 787-8. American Airlines will also fly non-stop to Los Angeles (LAX) and Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW) from Auckland (AKL). American’s Big USA Sale is on now until 9 March 2020.

• At the Novotel Christchurch Airport…Kim... At the Novotel Christchurch Airport…Kim...
• Justin Watson, Christchurch International Airport;... Justin Watson, Christchurch International Airport;...
• David Cant, American Airlines; with... David Cant, American Airlines; with...
• Fiona Luo, Becka Hake, both... Fiona Luo, Becka Hake, both...
• Sophie Holt, Louise Jones, both... Sophie Holt, Louise Jones, both...
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