Air NZ takes delivery of its first sharklet A320 and lifts the veil on 787-9 routes and product

Air NZ's fleet simplification plan has taken another couple of steps forward with the addition of its first domestic A320 fitted with sharklet wing tips and the announcement of routes and inflight products for the 787-9 for which the carrier is the launch customer. Within three years Air NZ will have phased out its legacy fleets of 737-300s, 767-300ERs and 747-400s and will have transitioned to operating a jet fleet of six types to just three; A320s, 777s and 787 significantly improving operating efficiencies.

The A320s will reduce operating costs on the domestic jet network, currently largely serviced with Boeing 737-300, while the 787-9 will be the airline's growth vehicle supporting its Pacific Rim network strategy.

Looking out to future long-haul fleet requirements, Air NZ has also issued a request for information (RFI) for the A350 and the yet to be launched Boeing 777-X as a long term replacement for the 777-200ER fleet. These aircraft were originally scheduled to exit the fleet coinciding with the arrival of the 787-9s. While the delay of the 787-9 has caused significant fleet management and route development issues, having retained the 777-200ERs has inadvertently placed Air NZ in a fortuitous position of being able to pull a number of levers to maximise fleet flexibility for the remainder of this decade.