Air New Zealand announced a small fleet expansion, focusing on its regional and short-haul network.
Air New Zealand ATR72-600 – Image, ATR Aircraft
The airline announced it would be adding two new ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft and two new Airbus A321neo aircraft into its fleet from late 2024.
The ATR72-600 aircraft will be used on the airlines’ regional network, adding 5.700 seats a week, boosting connectivity along the way.
Meanwhile, the two new 214-seat Airbus A321neo aircraft will be configured for international flying and will serve Tasman and Pacific Island routes. These will add more than 9,000 seats per week to the network, on a 12-year lease to the airline.
In Quotes
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said:
“Flying continues to be in high demand, both here and around the world and it means prices have been higher than usual. The most effective thing we can do to help customers is to welcome more aircraft into our fleet and put more seats in the sky.
“While adding more seats is an important part of working to reduce prices, like all New Zealand businesses our costs continue to rise significantly in many areas, and the reality is that airfares are unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels.
“Our customers have supported us as we’ve rebuilt Air New Zealand and we know it’s important to offer a range of fares that are accessible to all New Zealanders. Investing in new aircraft means more seats available at more times and at reasonable prices.
“Domestically we’re almost back to pre-Covid capacity, flying an average of 425 flights per day to 20 destinations across Aotearoa. These new aircraft mean that our domestic airline will be the larger than it’s ever been.
“We also have two previously announced domestic A321neo aircraft due for delivery in the next 12 months. We’re pulling every lever we have to get more seats in the sky, as quickly and as safely possible.”
Air New Zealand’s General Manager of Fleet Strategy and Delivery, Baden Smith said:
“Our ATR 72-600s are an integral part of Air New Zealand’s domestic network. Due to New Zealand’s short range, highly connected network, the ATR aircraft are perfect in keeping Kiwis connected across the 20 ports we fly between. With demand for air travel high, particularly in New Zealand, we’re thrilled to be welcoming two new ATR aircraft into our fleet from late 2024.”
Alexis Vidal, ATR’s SVP Commercial, added:
“ATR’s relationship with Air New Zealand is invaluable. Over the years, we have grown, innovated and pushed the boundaries of regional air transport together. The reason is that we make the perfect match: to thrive in New Zealand, an aircraft needs to be versatile, efficient, and therefore low-emission. It comes as no surprise that Air New Zealand operates the fourth largest ATR fleet in the world. We are truly grateful for their renewed trust.”
Continued Growth
Air New Zealand is focusing on growth with the airline having a total of 16 aircraft joining the fleet. This is made up of
- Eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners
- Six Airbus A321neo
- Two ATR72-600
All of these new aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2024 – 2028, as the airline implements its current growth strategy.
In addition, the airline is negotiating a lease for a Boeing 777-300ER, which will add 3,000 more seats per week to its international network. This would bring the total 777-300 fleet to eight if negotiations are successful.
For an airline that had a very rough time over the previous few years, it seems that the corner is turned, with domestic capacity at 94% of pre-pandemic and International capacity at 71%, indicating the recovery is on its way.
In addition, there is work with the passenger experience going on, with the Business Luxe Suite being rolled out on the Boeing 787 platform (the Safran Visa seat)
There are a lot of positive things in Air New Zealand’s future, as it pushes forward.
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