Air New Zealand celebrates arrival of 30th ATR Aircraft

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Air New Zealand has welcomed the latest addition to its regional fleet with the arrival of its 30th ATR aircraft, an ATR 72-600.

Registered as ZK-MZG, the aircraft began its service today, January 16, with its inaugural flight from Christchurch to Invercargill.

The newest ATR touched down in New Zealand on December 29, 2024, following a journey spanning more than 20,000 kilometers from Toulouse, France, where it was manufactured.

The aircraft’s week-long voyage included stops in Heraklion, Riyadh, Oman, Hyderabad, Kuala Lumpur, Denpasar, Darwin, and Brisbane before reaching Christchurch.

Baden Smith, Air New Zealand’s General Manager of Strategy, Networks, and Fleet, expressed enthusiasm about the aircraft’s introduction, highlighting its role in strengthening the airline’s regional services.

“The ATR is the backbone of our domestic network for regional customers. Its fuel efficiency, reliability, and ability to access smaller airports make it perfectly suited to New Zealand’s unique operating conditions. This addition reinforces our commitment to connecting communities across the country with resilient and efficient service,” Smith said.

Equipped with the advanced Pratt & Whitney PW127XT engine, this new ATR model is the first in Air New Zealand’s fleet to feature this engine type, offering a 3% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to earlier versions. The aircraft is expected to enhance operational flexibility and provide greater reliability for the airline’s regional services.

Smith emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating, “Introducing our 30th ATR into service marks a proud moment for Air New Zealand. This aircraft will play a key role in maintaining the reliability of our regional network, providing vital support for our turboprop fleet, and ensuring we can meet the needs of our customers.”

Air New Zealand’s history with ATR 72-600 aircraft dates back to 2012. Over the past 13 years, the airline’s fleet of ATRs has flown more than 33.2 million passengers across 610,809 flights, cementing its importance in the regional network.

Looking ahead, Air New Zealand has another ATR on order, expected to join the fleet in mid-2025, further enhancing the airline’s regional capabilities.

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Tags: Air New Zealand