Air New Zealand orders Airbus A320s to replace Boeing 737-300s

By: Gregory Polek

November 3, 2009
Aircraft, Aerospace Industry

Air New Zealand has ordered 14 Airbus A320s to replace its existing domestic fleet of 15 Boeing 737-300s. Valued at slightly more than $1 billion at list prices, the contract calls for deliveries to start in January 2011 and continue until 2016 to coincide with the expiration of 737-300 leases. ANZ has chosen IAE V2500 engines to power the A320s.

Somewhat larger than the aircraft they will replace, the A320s will allow Air New Zealand to increase capacity on routes that have begun to suffer from capacity constraints at some airports during peak times. Meanwhile, options on 11 more A320s placed by Air New Zealand allow it to opt for larger A321.

“Our 12 Airbus A320s already deployed on short-haul international routes are performing well, and moving to one single-aisle aircraft type for both domestic and short-haul international routes will immediately deliver added efficiencies in maintenance, crew training and overall fleet simplification,” said Bruce Parton, Air New Zealand’s short-haul airline general manager.

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