Air New Zealand purchases 15 additional ATR 72-600s

National flag carrier Air New Zealand and the European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR signed a contract for the purchase of 15 additional ATR 72-600s. The deal is valued at some US$375m. The airline, which ordered seven ATR 72-600s in 2011, had already exercised all of its five options as well as converted two purchase rights into firm orders. With the arrival of all the firm aircraft, Air New Zealand will operate, by 2020, a total of 29 ATR 72-600s, the third largest fleet of ATR aircraft worldwide. Air New Zealand’s ATR ‘-600’ fleet will progressively replace the ATR ‘-500s’, while strengthening the airline’s network and services across the country.