Air New Zealand Orders Four Boeing 777-300ERs

Air New Zealand has ordered four Boeing 777-300ERs and optioned three more. The aircraft will replace Boeing 747-400s now in its fleet. Credit: Boeing Photo

Air New Zealand has ordered four Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners and optioned three more.

The order was signed at Air New Zealand's Auckland headquarters. Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe and Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes' vice president - Asia Pacific sales, took part in the order ceremony.

Boeing values the four ordered aircraft at $1.1 billion at current list prices. Like all other 777-300ERs, Air New Zealand's aircraft will be powered by General Electric GE90-115BL engines. The GE90-115 is the world's largest and most powerful commercial jet engine, providing 115,000 pounds of thrust.

Air New Zealand will use the new 777s to replace the 747-400s now in its fleet.

"These new -300ERs will help us build on the success we've had with our existing 777s," said Fyfe. "There's no doubting the 777's passenger appeal, and its fuel efficiency is a very good fit with our very strong commitment to the environment."

Since entering service in 2004, the overall fuel efficiency of the 777-300ER has been improved by 3.6 percent through a combination of improved fuel burn in service and enhancements to the airplane. In addition, the range of the 777-300ER has increased by 630 nautical miles (1,200 kilometers) since entry into service.

Air New Zealand was the first airline in the South Pacific region to become a 777 customer, with the delivery of its first 777-200ER in December 2005.

It operates an all-Boeing twin-aisle fleet of eight 777-200ERs, eight 747-400s and five 767-300ERs. Air New Zealand also has ordered eight Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and has taken options on eight more.

The 777-300ER carries up to 365 passengers up to 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 kilometers).

Boeing claims the 777 has a 65 percent share of the 300-to-400-seat airliner market segment. Its order backlog is in excess of 340 airplanes, valued at approximately $87 billion at current list prices.

Airlines worldwide have ordered more than 990 777s.

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