National flag carrier Air New Zealand and regional aircraft manufacturer ATR, have signed a firm order for two brand-new ATR 72-600 aircraft and options for two more. Deliveries are scheduled for the second half of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. Air New Zealand will then operate the fourth-largest ATR fleet worldwide.
These additional aircraft will support the airline’s growth, further strengthening its network across New Zealand. The lowest-emission regional aircraft on the market, these brand-new ATRs will be equipped with PW127XT engines, delivering an additional 3% fuel burn reduction compared to previous engine version, enabling a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to similar-size regional jets.
Air New Zealand’s General Manager of Fleet Strategy and Delivery, Baden Smith said: “Our ATR 72-600s are an integral part of the carrier’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.”
Air New Zealand’s story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today the airline has 104 operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s. Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the U.S., and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations.
