Air New Zealand Confirms Boeing for Peer Review

Air New Zealand announced today that Boeing will assist the airline in a peer review of its engineering operation.

Over the next week Air New Zealand and Boeing will determine the terms of reference for the review including definition of the process and the expected time frame. Air New Zealand's Senior Vice President Operations & Technical, Craig Sinclair said the airline was pleased to be able to draw on the expertise of such a highly respected industry leader as Boeing.

"We recognise there is an issue of public credibility and transparency and as such we undertake to announce the findings of the peer review and any recommended actions."

The terms of reference of the peer review will be developed in consultation with Boeing which is sending a senior company representative to New Zealand next week.

Brisbane Update

Investigations are continuing into the shutdown of the General Electric engine that forced a 767-200 aircraft to make an emergency landing at Brisbane on Sunday December 8th.

The engine is currently being taken off the aircraft to assess the damage. This is likely to be completed this evening. The Australian Safety Transport Bureau will then make a decision as to the most appropriate time to release the engine to Air New Zealand, at which point it will return to the company's Auckland engineering base.

Initial investigations have determined that the aircraft will be out of service for approximately three to fours weeks while repairs are undertaken and a new engine is fitted.