Asia's largest airline is today starting a direct daily service between New Zealand and China.

China Southern Airlines will operate direct flights between Auckland and Guangzhou - China's third largest city.

The airline currently flies three times a week and the increase in services will add an additional 90,000 passenger seats per year.

Pat English, New Zealand Consul-General and Trade Commissioner for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) in Guangzhou, believes direct daily flights will increase the number of trade opportunities in China available to New Zealand businesses.

"China is now New Zealand's second largest trading partner and we hope to double two-way trade with China to NZ$20 billion by 2015," he said.

"Currently more than a third of New Zealand's exports to China are destined for Guangdong province and surrounding provinces, so daily flights will help open up doors for more New Zealand businesses," he said.

Glenn Wedlock, Auckland Airport's General Manager Aeronautical Commercial, says increasing air connections to high-growth markets like China is essential for New Zealand's economic success.

"There is a proven link between regular air services and economic growth, and it's predicted that this increased direct service to Guangzhou will boost New Zealand's economy by an estimated NZ$100 million from in-bound tourism," he says.

Wedlock says the number of Chinese visitors into Auckland Airport in 2011 increased by 26.5% compared with 2010 and it expects the growth trend to continue.

The increased service will also help push China ahead of the United States as New Zealand's third largest tourism market in the near future.

Tourism New Zealand's Chief Executive, Kevin Bowler says the new daily service between Guangzhou and Auckland will benefit New Zealand's travel industry significantly.

"The increased frequency of flights supports the high level of interest in China of New Zealand as a tourism destination," he said.

"Projections show that we can expect a dramatic rise in Chinese visitors over the next few years, so the daily service will enable greater choice and make it easier for travellers wishing to visit New Zealand."

China Southern Airlines is the world's third largest airline as measured by passengers and Asia's largest airline in terms of both fleet size and passengers carried.

The airline flies to 121 destinations and has a fleet of 422 aircraft, including the new A330-200 aircraft that will fly between Auckland and Guangzhou.

Flight time from Auckland to Guangzhou is approximately 11.5 hours.