EVA Air, Air New Zealand offering more flights from Houston

Fans take pictures of the EVA Air's Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet at an event celebrating its premiere Friday, June 19, 2015, in Houston. ( Jon Shapley / Houston Chronicle ) Fans take pictures of the EVA Air's Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet at an event celebrating its premiere Friday, June 19, 2015, in Houston. ( Jon Shapley / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: Jon Shapley, Staff Photo: Jon Shapley, Staff Image 1 of / 104 Caption Close EVA Air, Air New Zealand offering more flights from Houston 1 / 104 Back to Gallery

EVA Air and Air New Zealand are flying more frequently to Houston.

EVA Air increased the frequency of its Houston-Taipei flight from four times a week to six times a week on Sunday.

On Oct. 10, it will offer daily nonstop flights to Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.

"We do see the potential of growing, especially for the Singapore oil and gas market," said Steven Chang, manager for the Houston office of EVA Air.

Oil prices will only be low in the short term, he said, and expanding in Houston positions EVA Air for long-term growth.

"It is a long-term investment for EVA in the Houston market," Chang said.

EVA Air began flying to Bush Intercontinental Airport in June, making its inaugural trip on the specially painted Boeing 777-300ER called the Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet. Chang said EVA Air is the first Taiwanese airline to provide nonstop service between Houston and Taipei.

Air New Zealand, which began flying to Bush Intercontinental Airport in December, will increase its Houston-Auckland route from five times a week to daily service from Dec. 5 through Feb. 5, 2017. It will then go back to five times a week.

"Sales are strong with Kiwi and Australian customers loving the fact they can now access the U.S. Midwest and South as well as key destinations such as Chicago and New York via Houston," Air New Zealand Chief Sales and Commercial Officer Cam Wallace said in a news release. "We're also seeing good growth in the number of American travelers using this service to visit New Zealand and Australia. We look forward to offering even more options for customers through increased frequency on this route."