Air New Zealand orders eight Boeing long-haul jets

May 27, 2019 | 11:00
(0) user say
Air New Zealand said on Monday (May 27) it had ordered eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft in what it described as a "multi-billion dollar investment".
air new zealand orders eight boeing long haul jets
Air New Zealand's new Boeing jets will replace the airline's ageing Boeing 777-200s like this one at the Los Angeles International Airport. (AFP/Daniel SLIM)

It said the first of the wide-bodied, long-range aircraft would be delivered from 2022-27, replacing the airline's ageing complement of eight 777-200 jets.

Air New Zealand said it had secured a "significant discount" on the US$2.7 billion list price of the eight new aircraft but would not be publicly releasing how much it was paying.

Chief executive Christopher Luxon said the 787-10 was "perfect" for the airline's Pacific Rim focus.

"In connecting New Zealand with the world, we naturally offer a high proportion of long-haul flights, and these state-of-the-art aircraft will ensure we continue to operate one of the world's youngest and most efficient jet fleets," he said.

The airline is believed to have selected the 787-10 over the Airbus A350XWB.

The new aircraft will be powered by General Electric engines, rather than the Rolls Royce Trent ones used in Air NZ's existing fleet of 787-9s, which have experienced maintenance issues.

Luxon said Air New Zealand had purchased options to increase the order from eight to up to 20 aircraft if required.

AFP

What the stars mean:

★ Poor ★ ★ Promising ★★★ Good ★★★★ Very good ★★★★★ Exceptional