Air New Zealand has taken delivery of its first new-generation ATR 72-600 aircraft. The turboprop, resplendent in the carrier’s famous ‘all black’ livery, was handed over to company executives at a special ceremony at the Franco-Italian manufacturer’s Blagnac facility in Toulouse, France. Air New Zealand has a total of seven ATR 72-600s on order with options to purchase a further five at a total list price of $270 million.

The new aircraft represents a significant milestone in the airline’s ongoing commitment to growing domestic activities, according to Chief Executive Officer, Rob Fyfe. “The ATR 72-600 order potentially doubles the size of Air New Zealand’s ATR fleet and will put two million additional regional seats into the market. We firmly believe in the importance of the domestic market and the long-term strength of the New Zealand economy,” he said.

The ATR 72-600 is expected to enter service with Air New Zealand’s subsidiary carrier Mount Cook Airlines later this month and according to Mount Cook General Manager, Sarah Williamson will allow the airline to further expand its domestic operations with increased frequency and extra capacity on existing routes as well opening service to new points. “This first aircraft will service Nelson and New Plymouth in addition to the ports where the ATR 72-500 currently flies. Nelson and New Plymouth have both demonstrated recent growth and we’re responding by upgrading some services to the larger ATR aircraft,” she said.

“The flow-on effect of having additional ATR aircraft in Air New Zealand’s domestic fleet means we will have the flexibility to up-gauge some Bombardier Q300 and Beech operated routes, as more capacity is required over the coming years, and further stimulate demand in these regions,” she added.