(VOVworld) – New Zealand’s media reported on Thursday that Air New Zealand will open direct flights to Southeast Asian nations including Vietnam.

Air New Zealand said it expected to announce a new long haul route before Christmas and at least one more in 2016. (Photo: stuff.co.nz)

Details of the plan will be announced on Friday.

Flight Centre general manager Sean Berenson said Asia was a real growth area for New Zealand travel and South East Asia in particular had long been popular with New Zealanders with an increase from 12,400 people in 2013 to 15,000 travelers last year.

Currently, Air New Zealand is coordinating with Singapore’s airlines to carry Vietnamese visitors to New Zealand.