Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Australians will soon have an exciting new option for reaching South America, specifically Argentina, with a route from Auckland to Buenos Aires operated by China Eastern Airlines. This new service, set to launch in December 2025, offers a convenient and time-saving alternative for those looking to travel from Australasia to South America. The service marks an unexpected shift in the market, as it is not being offered by any Australian, Kiwi, or Latin American carrier.
New Nonstop Service from Auckland to Buenos Aires
In June 2025, Auckland Airport revealed that China Eastern Airlines, one of Asia’s largest carriers, would be launching a new nonstop flight route connecting Shanghai (Pudong) with Buenos Aires (Ezeiza) via Auckland. Initially, the service will operate twice a week, flying from Shanghai to Auckland, then on to Buenos Aires. This route provides a seamless travel option for those in Australasia looking to reach South America without the hassle of multiple stopovers.
This announcement was made at a special ceremony held in Shanghai, attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The new service is expected to play a pivotal role in boosting tourism to New Zealand, especially from China, while offering travelers an easier and more direct route to Argentina from Australasia. For Australian travelers, the new route is especially significant as it provides an alternative way to fly to Argentina, bypassing the need for multiple stopovers typically required when flying through Santiago, Chile, or the United States.
A New Convenient Gateway for Australian Travelers
For many Australians, the most straightforward way to reach Argentina has been to fly via Santiago, Chile, using airlines like Qantas or LATAM. However, this still requires at least one layover, with passengers traveling from smaller cities needing to make two stops. With China Eastern’s new Shanghai-Auckland-Buenos Aires service, Australians will now be able to fly with just one stopover in Auckland, which is a preferred stop for many travelers due to its geographical proximity.
A Competitive Option: Breaking the Duopoly
Luxury travel advisor Geoff Currie highlights that the new China Eastern Airlines service will provide a welcome alternative to the Qantas and LATAM duopoly, particularly for those seeking more affordable flights. He explains that China Eastern Airlines is known for offering competitive pricing and good service, which could disrupt the current high-cost options offered by the two major carriers. Once this new route is available, it is expected to create a simpler, more accessible option for traveling to Argentina and other South American destinations.
Currie also mentions that the ease of booking the new route through the Global Distribution System (GDS) will make it a convenient product for travel agents to promote and sell. This could further boost its appeal, as more people may opt for a more cost-effective way to reach Buenos Aires.
Economic Boost for New Zealand: Tourism and Trade
According to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, the new route linking China with South America via New Zealand represents an important step forward in connecting the dynamic economies of Asia and South America. This new route will strengthen New Zealand’s aviation network, offering a more resilient and diverse connection for both travelers and trade between the regions.
Prime Minister Luxon expressed optimism about the potential economic benefits, noting that the new flights are estimated to bring an additional $48 million in annual visitor spend to New Zealand. He emphasized that as the country works to rebuild its tourism industry to pre-2019 levels, this new route will play a key role in driving economic growth and attracting more international visitors, particularly from China and South America.
Strengthening Auckland’s Role as a Key Hub
Auckland Airport has long been a key player in New Zealand’s tourism and trade ambitions. With China Eastern’s new flights, Auckland will solidify its position as a major gateway connecting Asia, the South Pacific, and both North and South America.
Carrie Hurihanganui, CEO of Auckland Airport, highlighted the importance of the new flights in expanding New Zealand’s global connectivity. She explained that China Eastern Airlines already operates a daily Shanghai-Auckland route, and the addition of flights to Buenos Aires will further strengthen the airport’s connectivity. The Shanghai Pudong airport, one of the most connected hubs in the world, will serve as a key transit point, allowing passengers to connect seamlessly from Asia and Europe into Auckland and then to Buenos Aires.
Auckland Airport has also recently undergone significant upgrades to its transit facilities, expanding space by 80% to accommodate the growing number of passengers transiting through the hub. This upgrade is designed to support the 700,000 passengers who pass through Auckland annually, enhancing the airport’s capacity to handle increased international travel.
A Stronger Link Between China and New Zealand
China Eastern Airlines has been flying to New Zealand for over a decade, operating flights from Hangzhou to Auckland as well as connecting services via Sydney. The addition of the Shanghai-Auckland-Buenos Aires route is part of the airline’s broader efforts to increase connectivity between China and New Zealand, benefiting travelers not just from China but also those connecting via Shanghai from across Asia and Europe.
With Auckland Airport’s upgraded facilities and its strategic location, the airport is set to become an even more vital link between China, South Pacific, North America, and South America, creating new opportunities for both tourism and trade.
What This Means for Travelers and Airlines
For travelers, the China Eastern Airlines service offers a more convenient and cost-effective way to travel to South America, especially for those based in Australia and New Zealand. The ability to fly to Buenos Aires with just one layover in Auckland will significantly cut down on travel time and the complexity of booking flights with multiple stops. For airlines, the introduction of this route could shake up the existing Qantas-LATAM duopoly, forcing the major players to reconsider pricing and service offerings.
For New Zealand, the route is expected to be a game-changer, contributing to a revival in tourism and increasing its role as a significant transit hub for passengers flying between Asia and South America. It also marks a successful collaboration between Auckland Airport, the New Zealand Government, and China Eastern Airlines, highlighting the importance of expanding international connectivity in today’s globalized world.
Conclusion: A New Era of Connectivity for Australasia and South America
The launch of China Eastern Airlines’s new nonstop flight service from Auckland to Buenos Aires provides a fresh and exciting option for Australians and New Zealanders looking to explore South America. With more affordable fares and a convenient one-stop option, the new route is expected to boost tourism to both New Zealand and Argentina, while also benefiting travelers from across Asia and Europe connecting via Shanghai. This development exemplifies the growing trend of expanding global aviation networks and improving connectivity, ensuring that Auckland remains a key gateway between the South Pacific and South America.
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