Effective October 28, Taiwan's China Airlines will increase its number of flights from New Zealand to Taipei via Sydney to four times a week.

This is still apart from the existing three times a week service to Taipei via Brisbane flights.

A total of 307 seats will be allotted to the new Sydney service using an A330-300 aircraft.

The increase in the number of flights marked a significant step towards stronger trade and tourism links between Taiwan and New Zealand, Glenn Wedlock, Auckland Airport general manager aeronautical commercial, said. He hoped it will also deliver new opportunities for growth from a number of markets in both countries this year.

"We have been working on a number of development programmes in Taiwan and wider Asia as part of our Ambition 2020 initiative. The new services with China Airlines will help deliver on some key targets and drive in excess of $50 million in tourism and trade benefit for New Zealand," he said.

Founded in 1959, China Airlines flies to 28 countries around the globe to destinations in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. It is the largest airline in Taiwan and the flag carrier of the Republic of China.

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