Overseas flight boost

Press, 11 September 1989, Page 14

Overseas flight boost

By

DAVE WILSON

Air New Zealand will boost its international fleet by leasing two new Boeing 767 aircraft, and the airline’s summer timetable will have a 10,000-seat increase in Boeing 737 and 767 capacity on domestic routes. Operating leases have been signed in the United States for two new Boeing 767 Extended Range aircraft, the first to enter service in early 1991 arid the second a year later. They will be used to service the growth markets of Australia, Asia and North America. Air New Zealand owns or leases five Boeing 767 s and will take delivery of two more between November and next April.

These are also leased, and by 1992 the airline’s

767 fleet will total nine. Air New Zealand’s chief executive, Mr Jim Scott, said the new leases would allow the airline to meet expected tourism growth while adhering to a policy of maintaining a strong balance sheet.

In strengthening its Boeing fleet, Air New Zealand has also officially severed its last links with McDonnell Douglas aircraft.

The airline’s 21-year-old DCB freighter aircraft was sold to North American interests for $8.3 million. A modest capital profit was made on the deal, Mr Scott said.

The DCB has been out of service for two years, noise regulations restricting its use and the aircraft finally becoming redundant through changing cargo needs.

Domestic services through Christchurch will be increased in the airline’s summer timetable, starting on October 30.

The number of seats on the Auckland-Christ-church sector will increase 18 per cent a week, with a 15 per cent increase in seats on the Christchurch-Auck-land route. Air New Zealand’s new generation Boeing 747-400 longhaul jet, due for delivery in late October, will - fly two weekly services between Christchurch and Auckland, while positioning for international services.

Highlights of the domestic summer timetable include a new return ChristchurchInvercargill jet service in the morning, additional early-evening services to

Christchurch from Auckland and Wellington and a Christchurch-Palmers-ton North direct jet service in the evening.

The frequency of the $72 Christchurch-Auck-land “Red Eye’’ late night flights will be doubled to four flights a week.

Air New Zealand has chartered an Americanowned Boeing 747 for services to North America and Singapore.

The two-week charter from New York-based Tower Air, will plug a gap in the international schedules while Air New Zealand’s 747 fleet undergoes routine maintenance, and a comprehensive refit of the cabins.

Tower Air’s 747 will fly three round trips to North America and two round trips to Singapore during the charter period, from September 26.