Going into big Boeings

Press, 24 April 1980, Page 16

Going into big Boeings

Air New Zealand is boldly shaping up to the, 1980 s with its $320 million plan

to replace, its international fleet of

DCIO aircraft with much larger Boeing 7475. The airline has emphasised that the decision was based purely on

economics: that constantly rising fuel prices and a steady increase in passengers hiave combined to make the operating costs of the 747 “substantially” more attractive than those of the DCIO.

Undoubtedly the airline’s thinking has been influenced by the fact that

savings? are possible by moving more

people on fewer flights; its five new aircraft vvJll enable this to be done with considerable ease. Together, the five

will be < capable of carrying 2140 passengers,': about 25 more than the total capacity/ of the original fleet of eight DClOs. f

This will inevitably mean a cut in frequeiicy, particularly on the North American route, which is served at present; by 12 DCIO flights each week. Their capacity for 3156 passengers will be absorbed by eight Boeing flights

with 25$6'seats to spare. Other routes will be similarly affected as the DClOs are phased out and sold. The deputy chairman of the Christchurch! City Council’s public utilities committee, Cr R. A. Bamford, has already expressed concern at the effect

that cirt-backs in frequency might have on Christchurch. Indeed, there now seems jlittle chance of fulfilling in the

near future the council’s wish for daily flights to Sydney and increased services to Melbourne and Brisbane.

Air New Zealand will not have the necessary aircraft for such extended services. Three of the five new Boeings will be almost fully occupied flying between Auckland and Los Angeles. That will leave only two for the routes to Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo when the DCBs are withdrawn, and for flights across the Tasman.

The long-term answer could be found in the airline’s proposals for domestic aircraft replacements to be ■announced next year. This package is expected to include several Boeing 7675, a new, middle-range aircraft suitable for moving about 220 passengers not only on New Zealand’s main routes, but also on the shorter international routes across the Tasman and to the PacificIslands. An added advantage of the 767 would be its ability to use Wellington Airport without .the need for costly extensions there. ’ . . ?

The purchase of other aircraft, which would enable the expansion of Air New Zealand, has yet to be settled. In the meantime the airline, by opting for greater economy in moving the present number of passengers, has taken an important step to maintain its position. The next step is to decide whether it should grow into a bigger airline offering more services and greater frequency of. flights.