Chinese airline bolsters outlook for New Zealand's quake-hit South Island

China Southern Airlines, currently flying three times a week between Guangzhou and Christchurch, is to fly five times a week from Dec. 12 and then daily from Jan. 15 to Feb. 17 next year, Christchurch Airport announced Tuesday.

The move aims at giving New Zealand's quake-hit South Island a boost by increasing direct services between the two cities over the peak summer tourism season.

Chief aeronautical and commercial officer Justin Watson said the increase in services would provide a huge economic boost for the regions of the South Island.

"The extra flights represent an increase of more than 50 percent over the important summer season," Watson said.

"In addition, the extra services will provide a boost to the available airfreight capacity out of the South Island. This comes at a key time when South Island exporters want to get their high value food products such as live crayfish to key markets."

Two weeks ago, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed two people and cut road and rail links in one of the main tourist destination areas of the South Island.

It brought back memories of the devastating 6.3-magnitude quake that killed 185 people and devastated Christchurch in February 2011.

Local tourism insiders worst affected by the Nov. 14 quake welcomed the news Tuesday.

"After a tough couple of weeks, this could not be better timing for Hanmer Springs as a destination," said Graeme Abbot, general manager of the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, an alpine resort about 130 kilometers north of Christchurch.

"We look forward to welcoming China Southern customers to our village," Abbot said in the statement. Endit