Thursday, January 16, 2025
Air New Zealand has welcomed the most recent addition to its regional fleet with the arrival of its thirtieth ATR plane, an ATR 72-600.
Registered as ZK-MZG, the plane started its service in the present day, January 16, with its inaugural flight from Christchurch to Invercargill.
The most recent ATR touched down in New Zealand on December 29, 2024, following a journey spanning greater than 20,000 kilometers from Toulouse, France, the place it was manufactured.
The plane’s week-long voyage included stops in Heraklion, Riyadh, Oman, Hyderabad, Kuala Lumpur, Denpasar, Darwin, and Brisbane earlier than reaching Christchurch.
Baden Smith, Air New Zealand’s Basic Supervisor of Technique, Networks, and Fleet, expressed enthusiasm concerning the plane’s introduction, highlighting its function in strengthening the airline’s regional providers.
“The ATR is the backbone of our domestic network for regional customers. Its fuel efficiency, reliability, and ability to access smaller airports make it perfectly suited to New Zealand’s unique operating conditions. This addition reinforces our commitment to connecting communities across the country with resilient and efficient service,” Smith mentioned.
Geared up with the superior Pratt & Whitney PW127XT engine, this new ATR mannequin is the primary in Air New Zealand’s fleet to function this engine sort, providing a 3% enchancment in gasoline effectivity in comparison with earlier variations. The plane is anticipated to boost operational flexibility and supply higher reliability for the airline’s regional providers.
Smith emphasised the importance of this milestone, stating, “Introducing our 30th ATR into service marks a proud moment for Air New Zealand. This aircraft will play a key role in maintaining the reliability of our regional network, providing vital support for our turboprop fleet, and ensuring we can meet the needs of our customers.”
Air New Zealand’s historical past with ATR 72-600 plane dates again to 2012. Over the previous 13 years, the airline’s fleet of ATRs has flown greater than 33.2 million passengers throughout 610,809 flights, cementing its significance within the regional community.
Trying forward, Air New Zealand has one other ATR on order, anticipated to hitch the fleet in mid-2025, additional enhancing the airline’s regional capabilities.
