American Airlines Group Inc. has announced that it will start flying nonstop between Los Angeles International Airport and Auckland Airport in New Zealand starting in June due to increasing tourist interest from both countries.
The daily service will be delivered through the airlines’ existing relationship with Qantas Airways, the company said.
Auckland Airport officials said as of September, the number of Americans visiting New Zealand grew 11 percent over the prior year, while 14 percent more New Zealanders visited the United States over the same time period.
The new service requires regulatory approval, according to American.
In other airport news, Spirit Airlines Inc. announced Thursday it would be adding twice-daily service between LAX and Oakland International Airport.