Air New Zealand (AIR NZ) stated as part of its 2023 annual results that it would welcome two new ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft and two new Airbus A321 aircraft into its fleet beginning in late 2024.
These four new planes bring the airline’s fleet total to 16, comprising eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners, six Airbus A321s and two ATR72-600s, all of which are expected to arrive between 2024 and 2028.
Due to increased demand throughout the airline’s regional network, AIR NZ will increase its fleet, adding 760,000 seats per year.
The two new 214-seat Airbus A321neo planes will be equipped for international flights, operating between New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
AIR NZO CEO Greg Foran highlighted the fleet investments made over the previous years in the company’s 2023 financial results: “After several volatile years, it’s great to be back in the black and standing on our own two feet, especially given we have more than $3.5bn in aircraft investment coming over the next five years.”
“Today we also announced an order for two new ATR turboprop aircraft for regional routes, as well as two new Airbus A321neos for our international short-haul network. That’s in addition to the existing domestic Airbus A321neo orders and the eight new Boeing 787 Dreamliners we have coming into the fleet as we retire our Boeing 777-300s over time.”
In the 2023 financial results, the company reported earnings before other significant items and taxation of $585m a huge increase compared to a loss of $725m in 2022.
AIR NZ further stated that the 2023 financial year marks a turning point in AIR NZ’s recovery, with the airline returning to profitability after three years of pandemic-related losses.
“Domestically, we’re almost back to pre-Covid capacity, flying an average of 425 flights per day to 20 destinations across Aotearoa. These new aircraft mean that our domestic airline will be larger than it’s ever been,” added Foran.
Furthermore, as a consequence of the full reopening of New Zealand’s borders and continued strength in passenger demand, operational revenue climbed 132% to $6.3bn for the year.
