Air New Zealand to acquire 14 Airbus A320’s
Air New Zealand said as part of the agreement it also has secured purchase rights for a further 11 aircraft.
The company expects the first A320 aircraft to arrive in January 2011, with the fleet to be progressively introduced through until 2016 coinciding with the expiry of 737 aircraft leases.
Group General Manager Short Haul Airline, Bruce Parton, said it was a good time to buy aircraft with the industry at the bottom end of the cycle meaning demand for aircraft is limited.
“As we did with the 777, 787 and earlier A320 purchases, we have been able to buy counter-cyclically and again secure an excellent deal for Air New Zealand,” Mr Parton said.
“This is a very exciting time for Air New Zealand when you consider we will be introducing 777-300s, 787-9s and now also A320s into our fleet during the first half of the next decade.”
Mr Parton added that moving to one single-aisle jet aircraft type across both domestic and short haul networks would deliver efficiencies in fuel burn, maintenance, training, spares holding and fleet management.
“Thanks to its fuel efficiency, the A320 will enable Air New Zealand to increase capacity on the domestic market while reducing carbon emissions,” Mr Parton said.
The company said the larger aircraft would enable Air New Zealand to increase capacity on routes that are beginning to face capacity constraints at some airports during peak times.
As at 1040 AEDT, Air New Zealand shares were unchanged at $1.00.
Leave a Reply