Air N.Z. accepts first 747

Press, 28 May 1981, Page 3

Air N.Z. accepts first 747

INZPA Seattle Air New Zealand yesterday took a step into the future with the acceptance in Seattle of the first of its five Boeing 747 aircraft. The deal, which involves the leasing of the aircraft, is worth more than SNZ3OO million. The Minister of Transport (Mr McLachlan), who ac-’ cepted the 747 in Seattle yesterday, said the new aircraft showed the New Zealand Government’s confidence in the future of the airline.

The new Air New Zealand first lady was formally accepted at a ceremony attended by executives of Air New Zealand, Boeing, and Rolls-Royce, which made the plane’s engines. Boeing’s vice-president of sales and marketing. Mr Clancy Wilde, presented the Minister with a symbolic key before a packed conference room at Everett, 65km south of Seattle. Mr McLachlan said that he was confident that in the years ahead Air New Zealand staff would make a success of operating the 747.

Earlier, the Minister had been -the first to inspect the big jet as it sat gleaming in the late afternoon sun in its green, dark blue and white livery. An Air New Zealand director. Mr Murray Hunter, said that it was a'significant day for any airline to change its major vehicle. “We believe that we have

as good a staff and crew in this airline as anywhere in the world, and we are looking forward to expanding our services with this wonderful aircraft.'’ he said. The entire fleet is due to be in service by October next year. The new fleet will carry the airline's hopes for happier times in the wake of staff problems over the integration of international and domestic services, big losses, and the Erebus disaster. The vanguard of the fleet was rolled out from Boeing's main factory, which, with 62 acres under one roof, is the biggest building by volume in the world. A Boeing official who accompanied journalists from New Zealand. Australia, and Britain on a tour of the plant said that the company had a three-year contract with unions. "There have been no strikes during construction and this plane is being handed over dead on time," he said. Boeing is hoping that Air New Zealand will be a customer for its new family of jets — the 757 and the -767, which will be in service in about two years. These new jets will be able to fly out of Wellington. “The 767 is the first of our fuel-efficient twin jets,” the boeing official said. Fuel saving was stressed time and again by top Boeing management yesterday. It-has sparked fierce competition among the engine companies, with Pratt and Whitney. General Electric, and Rolls Royce all competing to produce the most fuelefficient engine.

The first Air New Zealand 747 is due to arrive in Auckland on Friday morning. A passenger flight is set down for Thursday, June 11, between Auckland and Sydney, and the following week the jet will commence ser-

vices from Auckland to Melbourne, Brisbane, Singapore, and Hong Kong. A Christchurch-Sydney service is planned for June 15. A daily service between Auckland and Los Angeles via Honolulu will begin on July 11. replacing DCIO services. It will be extended to include Fiji on July 15.

The second and third aircraft to be built at the Seattle plant are due for delivery in the middle of next nionth. The fourth and fifth aircraft will be delivered in April and September next year. They will have the more powerful and fuel efficient Rolls-Royce 524D4 engines, which can deliver 53,000 pounds of take-off thrust.

These newer engines will be available to be fitted to the airline's first three 747 s in May and June next year. These aircraft will be powered initially by the Rolls-Royce R. 8.211 engines. The Boeings will have 16 first-class, 388 economy, and 24 business-class seats.