Airlines Boeing and Air New Zealand announce order for eight 787-10 Dreamliner

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing and flag-carrier airline Air New Zealand have announced the order for eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner.

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With this latest order, Air New Zealand furthermore underlines its ambitions to build its future fleet with Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In the past decades, the airline used Boeing 777-200s and 767s for long-haul operations. With the introduction of the 777-300 and 787, the carrier is pushing to modernize its fleet.

According to Boeing, the deal between the manufacturer and Air New Zealand is valued at approximately US$2.7 billion at list prices. Deliveries for the 787-10s will commence in 2022 so that the airline can strategically grow its business.

This deal was initially announced in May over the course of a purchase commitment. Air New Zealand holds options to increase the number of aircraft from eight up to 20. Substitution rights allow the airline to switch from the larger 787-10 to the smaller 787-9. A combination of the two models would also be possible, said Boeing.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon commented: "This is an exciting decision for our business and our customers as we deliver on our commitment to grow our business sustainably.  With the 787-10 offering around 15 percent more space for both customers and cargo than the 787-9, this investment creates the platform for our future strategic direction and opens up new opportunities to grow." 

Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, The Boeing Company added: "Air New Zealand has made very strategic investments in advanced widebody aircraft to build on its status as a leading global carrier connecting the South Pacific with Asia and the Americas. We are very honored that Air New Zealand has selected to add the 787-10 and its unique capabilities to complement its long-haul fleet of 777 and 787-9 airplanes."

Air New Zealand was the launch customer for the Boeing 787-9 and currently operates 13 of the variant. Another 787-9 is on the way and with the ordered 787-10s, the Dreamliner fleet could grow to 22. They replace the aging 777-200s and 777-300s as well.

The flag-carrier of New Zealand was founded in August 1939 and has its main hub at Auckland International. Next to the Boeing aircraft, the airline also flies with 25 Airbus A320-200s, three A320neos and seven A321neos.

Source © boeing.mediaroom.com

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