Air New Zealand is doubling its charter flights between Japan and New Zealand in expectation of a boost in visitor numbers over the summer.
The airline will make 14 flights from seven Japanese cities over the season. Six will fly into Christchurch and the remainder into Auckland.
The charter programme is additional to regular services it operates in Tokyo and Osaka.
Air NZ says Japan is New Zealand's fifth largest source of tourists and it anticipates the charter flights will bring an additional 3200 visitors.
Deputy chief executive Norm Thompson says a recovery in Japan is definitely occurring.
