Air New Zealand Orders 15 More ATR 72-600s

Air New Zealand has signed a contract with ATR for the purchase of 15 additional 68-seat ATR 72-600s.

The deal is valued at US$ 375 million.

The airline, which ordered seven ATR 72-600s in 2011, had already exercised all of its five options as well as converted two purchase rights into firm orders.

With the arrival of all the firm aircraft, Air New Zealand will, by 2020, operate a total of 29 ATR 72-600s, the third largest fleet of ATR aircraft worldwide.

Air New Zealand’s ATR ‘-600’ fleet will progressively replace the ATR ‘-500s’, while strengthening the airline’s network and services across the country.

Christopher Luxon, Air New Zealand’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We have been successfully operating ATR aircraft for more than 20 years, and we are pleased to further expand our partnership by introducing additional new generation ATRs to our fleet. We have operated ATR ‘-600s’ since 2012 and we are very satisfied with the aircraft, both in terms of the customer experience and operational efficiency, which contributed to achieve our sustainability targets. The new ATR ‘-600s’ also ensure we continue to deliver a world class experience to our regional customers” 

ATR 72-600

Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 127M
Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horse power per engine
Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 Kg
Maximum load: 7,500 Kg
Maximum range with full passenger load: 900 nautical miles (1,665 Km)