Christchurch–Singapore Year-Round, Bali Next: Agent Notes

Short answer: On 28 October 2026 Air New Zealand said its Christchurch–Singapore service, launched that month as a seasonal route, will now run year-round. It also plans a non-stop Christchurch–Bali (Denpasar) service over the New Zealand winter of 2027, about three flights a week to the end of August, with sales expected to open later in 2026. Explera DMC New Zealand plans South Island programmes for groups arriving on both routes.

This briefing is for travel agents and tour operators in Singapore and the markets that connect through Singapore, such as India and Malaysia. Until now, most of these groups reached the South Island through Auckland or Australia.

What did Air New Zealand announce?

Singapore all year. Air New Zealand announced the Christchurch–Singapore route on 28 May 2026 as a seasonal service, three flights a week from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027. Its release of 28 October 2026 says the service will continue beyond that seasonal schedule and operate year-round.
Bali from winter 2027. A new non-stop Christchurch–Denpasar service is planned over the 2027 New Zealand winter, expected to run about three times a week through to the end of August. Air New Zealand expects flights to go on sale later in 2026.
Planned, not on sale. No dates or flight times for Bali have been published. We treat it as planned until the schedule is on sale.
Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines already flies Christchurch–Singapore, up to 12 times a week according to the May 2026 joint release, so the route now has two carriers.

An aircraft wing above white cloud, with a sea, green islands and coastline below

Why it matters for groups from Asia

The South Island first. A Christchurch arrival lets a programme start in Canterbury and head for Queenstown, Aoraki / Mount Cook or the West Coast without a domestic flight on day one. Our Christchurch international summer briefing covers the other new routes into the city.
Winter is covered now. A year-round Singapore service gives a direct path into Christchurch in June, July and August, the months many South-East Asian and Indian families travel for snow. Our ski and snow team plans snow days and ski-field transfers for groups.
Connections through Singapore. The route builds on Air New Zealand's alliance with Singapore Airlines and its connections at Changi. Agents in India and Malaysia can quote one-stop routings into Christchurch. See our pages for India, Malaysia and Singapore.

What should agents check before quoting?

Operating days. Three flights a week means the flight sets the arrival day. We build the programme around the confirmed flight.
Bali dates. Start dates, days and aircraft for Christchurch–Denpasar have not been published. Hold group dates only once the flights are on sale.
Winter roads. Alpine passes can close or need chains in winter. We plan coach routes with weather time built in and check road status before each day.
Dining and prayer needs. Halal dining and prayer times, including for groups from Malaysia and Singapore, are covered in our halal travel briefing.

An aircraft wing above a layer of white cloud under a blue sky

How Explera DMC New Zealand can help

We are the Christchurch DMC for travel agents and tour operators. We plan airport meet and assist, group tours and coach and private transfers from Christchurch. We do not sell air tickets; flights are booked through the airline or the agency's own channels.

FAQ

Is Air New Zealand's Christchurch–Singapore flight year-round? Yes. Air New Zealand said on 28 October 2026 that the service, launched as a seasonal route, will operate year-round.

When does Christchurch–Bali start? Air New Zealand plans it for the New Zealand winter of 2027, about three flights a week to the end of August. Exact dates have not been published, and sales are expected to open later in 2026.

Does Singapore Airlines also fly to Christchurch? Yes. Singapore Airlines operates its own Christchurch–Singapore service, up to 12 flights a week.

Can groups from India fly into Christchurch? Yes, with one stop. Indian groups can connect through Singapore to Christchurch. We confirm the routing at quotation.

Does Explera DMC New Zealand book the flights? No. We plan the arrival, rooms, transfers and touring around flights booked through the airline or the agency.