Air New Zealand

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Air New Zealand
IATA
NZ		 ICAO
ANZ		 Callsign
NEW ZEALAND
Founded 1940 (as Tasman Empire Airways Limited)
Hubs Auckland Airport
Focus cities
Frequent flyer program Airpoints
Member lounge Koru Club
Alliance Star Alliance
Subsidiaries
Fleet size 100 (+13 orders) incl.subsidiaries
Destinations 53 incl.subsidiaries
Parent company New Zealand Government (76.07% Owner)[1]
Company slogan Amazing journeys. Every day.
Headquarters Auckland, New Zealand
Key people Rob Fyfe (CEO), Norm Thompson (Deputy CEO),
Website: http://www.airnewzealand.com

Air New Zealand Limited (ASX: AIZ, NZX: AIR, Air New Zealand) is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 27 domestic destinations and 26 international destinations in 14 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania,[2] and is currently the only airline to fly round the world.[3] Air New Zealand's route network focuses on Australasia and the South Pacific, with long-haul services to Asia, Europe and North America. The airline's main hub is Auckland Airport (formerly Auckland International Airport).[4] Air New Zealand is a member of the Star Alliance global airline alliance, having joined in 1999.[2]

Air New Zealand originated in 1940 as Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), a flying boat company operating trans-Tasman flights between New Zealand and Australia. TEAL became wholly owned by the New Zealand Government in 1965, whereupon it was renamed Air New Zealand. The airline was largely privatised in 1989, but returned to government ownership in 2001 after the failed tie up with Australian carrier Ansett Australia (when Ansett suffered financial issues and folded operations during that year). As of 2008, Air New Zealand carries 11.7 million passengers annually.[2]

New Zealand's national airline operates a long-haul fleet consisting of Boeing 747-400, 767-300ER, 777-200ER and Airbus A320-200 aircraft on international routes. The carrier also utilises a fleet of Airbus A320-200 and Boeing 737-300 airliners for short-haul operations. Air New Zealand's regional subsidiaries, Air Nelson, Eagle Airways, Mount Cook Airline, and Zeal320, operate additional short-haul New Zealand and trans-Tasman services.

Air New Zealand's slogan is "Amazing journeys. Every day."

Contents

[edit] History

Main article: History of Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand began as TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Limited) in 1940, operating Short Empire flying boats on trans-Tasman routes. Following World War II, TEAL operated weekly flights from Auckland to Sydney, and added Wellington and Fiji to its routings. The New Zealand and Australian governments purchased 50% stakes in TEAL in 1953,[5] and the airline ended flying boat operations in favor of propeller airliners by 1960. With the introduction of the DC-8 in 1965, TEAL became Air New Zealand—the New Zealand Government having purchased Australia's 50% stake in the carrier.[5]

Air New Zealand introduced its first 767s in 1985.

With the increased range of the DC-8s, its first jet aircraft, Air New Zealand began transpacific services to the United States and Asia, and added Los Angeles and Honolulu as destinations in 1965. The airline further acquired wide-body DC-10 airliners, the first of which arrived in 1973. In 1978, the domestic National Airways Corporation (NAC) and its subsidiary Safe Air were merged into Air New Zealand to form a single national airline, further expanding the carrier's operations. In 1981, Air New Zealand added the first Boeing 747 aircraft to its fleet.[5]

In 1982, Air New Zealand initiated service to London, United Kingdom. 1985 saw the introduction of Boeing 767-200ER airliners, and in 1989 the airline was privatised with a sale to a consortium headed by Brierley Investments Ltd.[5] (with remaining stakes held by Qantas, Japan Airlines, American Airlines, and the New Zealand Government). The New Zealand air transport market underwent deregulation in 1990, prompting Air New Zealand to acquire a 50% stake in Ansett Australia in 1995. From 1999 through 2000, Air New Zealand became embroiled in an ownership battle over Ansett with co-owner News Limited over a possible sale of the underperforming carrier to Singapore Airlines.

[edit] Merger with Ansett

Further information: Air New Zealand-Ansett Australia merger
Air New Zealand added its first 747-400 in 1989.

In 2000, Air New Zealand announced that it had chosen instead to acquire the entirety of Ansett Australia (increasing its 50% stake in the carrier to 100%) for $A680 million from News Corporation Ltd. Many believe this to have been a critical mistake, as Ansett's fleet, staffing levels and infastructure far outweighed that of Air NZ. Subsequently, both carriers' profitability came under question, and foreign offers to purchase the Air New Zealand Group were considered. In September 2001, plagued by costs it couldn't possibly afford, the Air New Zealand / Ansett Group neared collapse. A failed attempt at purchasing Virgin Blue was the final straw, and on September 12, out of both time and cash, Air New Zealand placed Ansett Australia into voluntary administration, following which Ansett was forced to cease operations. Air New Zealand announced a $NZ1.425 billion operating loss.[5].

[edit] Re-nationalised era

In October 2001, Air New Zealand was re-nationalised under a New Zealand Government $NZ885 million rescue plan (with the government taking a 76.5% stake), and subsequently received new leadership. This act was the only thing that spared Air New Zealand from also going into administration, without which it too would have joined it's now bankrupt subsidiary, Ansett, and likely would have been grounded.

Air New Zealand 747-400 at LAX

In 2002, Air New Zealand reconfigured its domestic operations under a low-cost airline business plan, and the New Zealand Government weighed (and later refused) a proposal from Qantas to purchase a one-fifth stake in the carrier. Air New Zealand returned to profitability in 2003, reporting a net profit of $NZ165.7 million for that year. The carrier saw increasing profits through 2004 and 2005.[5] In 2004, the airline announced a comprehensive relaunch of its long-haul product, featuring the introduction of new seats in its business, premium economy, and economy class cabins. In 2005, Air New Zealand received the first of its newly-ordered Boeing 777-200ER wide-body aircraft, and the airline placed orders for the Boeing 787-9.

In 2009, the airline announced a massive drop in profits due to the current global economic crisis and the high oil prices that affected the airline industry during 2008.[citation needed] However the airline is financially robust and with the laying up of aircraft as they come off lease, Air New Zealand is placed well for an economic recovery.

[edit] Brand and livery

[edit] Brand

Air New Zealand's "Pacific Wave", introduced in 1996

On 27 March 2006, Air New Zealand embarked on a changeover to a new brand identity, involving a new Zambesi-designed uniform, new logo, new colour scheme and new look check-in counters and lounges. The new uniforms feature a colour palette mirroring the greenstone, teal, schist and slate hues of New Zealand, sea and sky (a Māori motif created by Derek Lardelli) fabric woven from merino wool, and curves inspired by the koru. A greenstone colour replaces the blue Pacific Wave colour, inspired by the colour of the pounamu, the prized gemstone found in New Zealand. The Air New Zealand Koru will be woven through all Air New Zealand's signage and products.

Later in 2009 staff will be involved in testing fabrics and cuts of uniforms. "'It would be fair to say that the lessons from the development and introduction of the current uniform have been taken on board," said Mr. Fyfe after widespread public and staff criticism.[6]

[edit] Livery history

Air New Zealand's Koru tail symbol

The Air New Zealand Māori symbol is a koru. It is a stylised representation of a fern frond unfolding, and signifies new life, growth and renewal. The koru was used on the prows of the early Polynesian canoes that sailed the Pacific with its many islands.

The koru was first applied to the tail of Air New Zealand aircraft with the arrival of the DC-10 in 1973, and has remained ever since. The current aircraft livery was adopted in 1996. The koru also appears on the Air New Zealand house flag and flies at international airports such as Los Angeles Airport.

A redesigned logo was unveiled on 21 March 2006. The new logo has been introduced in all advertising, signage and stationery and on planes.

[edit] Special liveries

Air New Zealand 747-400 "Airline to Middle Earth".
  • In 1984, pictures of the Buckingham Palace horse guards with 'London, Here We Come' were placed on the side of the hump of the airline's new Boeing 747-200Bs when Air New Zealand was allowed to fly the Los Angeles - London leg of the trans Pacific route in its own name. Prior to this, British Airways had operated Air New Zealand's aircraft over the US in order to work around a "no pick up and continue" regulation. British Airways was exempt from this regulation.
  • A special livery featuring an image of the All Blacks front row of Carl Hoeft, Anton Oliver and Kees Meeuws was used on the aircraft that took them to the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
  • In 1999, three Boeing 737-300 aircraft were painted in a 'New Millenium' livery depicting celebrations and the America's Cup regatta that was to be held in 2000.
  • In 2002 and 2003 Air New Zealand marked its position as "the official airline to Middle Earth" by decorating three planes with The Lord of the Rings imagery, applied as giant decals. The decal material was described in airline publicity as being as thin as clingfilm and weighing more than 60 kg. The imagery featured actors from the The Lord of the Rings film trilogy against backdrops of New Zealand locations used in the films.[7][8]
  • 2003-2004 saw Freedom Air paint Boeing 737-300 ZK-FRE and then Airbus A320-200 ZK-OJL in a mural promoting Warner Brothers Movie World on the Gold Coast. All the major Looney Tunes characters were depicted.
  • In 2008, ZK-FRE bears a green Air New Zealand 'Holidays' colour scheme.

[edit] Destinations

Further information: Air New Zealand destinations

Air New Zealand flies to 27 domestic destinations and 26 international destinations in 14 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.

[edit] Fleet

Air New Zealand Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Options Passengers
(Business Premier/Premium Pacific*/Pacific)		 Routes Notes
Boeing 737-300 16 0 0 133 (0/0/133) 33 Space+ seats, 100 Economy seats Domestic & Pacific 11 Aircraft are leased.
Boeing 747-400 7 0 0 379 (46/39/294) International long haul, Tasman , Los Angeles 6 Aircraft are leased. Being replaced by Boeing 777-300ER from 2010 .
Boeing 767-300ER 5 0 0 234 (24/0/210) Select Tasman and Pacific Routes Currently having Winglets attached. Eventually they will be replaced by 787-9s.
Boeing 777-200ER 8 0 0 313 (26/18/269)

304 (26/36/242) Retrofitted

 International long haul, Select Tasman & North American Routes 4 Aircraft are leased
Aircraft to be retrofitted Early 2009.
Boeing 777-300ER 0 5 3 351 (39/46/269) International long haul Deliveries: 2010–2012, Replacing Boeing 747-400
Boeing 787-9 0 8 8 International long haul Deliveries: 2013–2016
Total 36 13 11
Air New Zealand Subsidiaries Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Options Passengers
(Economy)		 Routes
Airbus A320-200 12 0 20 (Options expire in 2010, the airline may replace the 737-300 on domestic routes with these. Decision pending) 152 8 Business, 36 Space+, 108 Economy Select Tasman (except Perth) & Pacific
Operated by Zeal320
ATR 72-500 11 0 0 68 Domestic Operated by Mount Cook Airlines
Bombardier Q300 23 0 0 50 Domestic Operated by Air Nelson
Beechcraft 1900D 18 0 0 19 Domestic Operated by Eagle Airways
Total 64 0 20

*Premium Pacific Class is offered on routes operated by Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 777-200ER aircraft only. Bassinets on all International Aircraft

[edit] Fleet operations

Boeing 777-200ER
Boeing 747-400
Boeing 767-300ER landing on a flight from Auckland
Airbus A320-200 at Rarotonga International Airport
  • Boeing 747-400 aircraft fly on the non-stop Auckland–Los Angeles services (NZ5/6). Formerly they were used on the daily Auckland-London Heathrow via Hong Kong (NZ39/38) flights but have now been replaced by the 777-200. They are also used on the twice weekly Auckland-Vancouver flights (NZ84/83) and on the four times weekly Auckland-Brisbane service.
  • Boeing 777-200ER aircraft are used on the daily Auckland-London Heathrow via Los Angeles (NZ2/1) flights, Auckland-San Francisco (NZ8/7), Auckland-Shanghai (NZ89/88), Auckland-Beijing(NZ86/87) and Auckland-Tokyo (NZ99/90) routes. They are also used for several trans-tasman flights a week, two services a week Auckland-Rarotonga, and two services a week Auckland-Nadi.
  • Boeing 767-300ER aircraft are used predominantly to fly the majority of Air New Zealand's other routes including Auckland-Perth, Auckland-Honolulu, Auckland-Rarotonga-Los Angeles, Auckland-Nukuʻalofa-Apia-Los Angeles, Auckland-Apia, Auckland-Nuku'alofa, Auckland-Papeete, Auckland-Nadi, Auckland-Osaka and several weekly trans-tasman flights. Aircraft are to be retro-fitted with fuel saving winglets from July 2009.[9]
  • One Boeing 737-300 (ZK-FRE) is currently wearing the Air New Zealand Holidays colours. Air New Zealand operates the last 737-300 to come off Boeing's production line (ZK-NGJ), delivered on 17 December 1999. Air New Zealand operates its 737-300s on domestic routes between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown. Niue is also served by 737-300s.
  • One Airbus A320-200 (ZK-OJH) is currently wearing the Star Alliance Livery. The aircraft also wears the Air New Zealand logo under the front windows and Air New Zealand blue colour on the winglet. Airbus A320-200 aircraft are used to fly local sectors to Australia and the Pacific Islands. All international flights out of Wellington, Dunedin & Queenstown are operated by Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

[edit] Regional domestic services

The propjet fleet of Beech 1900Ds, Q300s and ATR-72s operate very intensive interprovincial services through the regional network giving customers more choice in departure times instead of high capacity low frequency jet services which were originally operated by the Boeing 737-200. This includes some routes bypassing main centre hubs, connecting regional centres with no more than one stop. Including non stop -

Eagle Airways Beech 1900D fleet operate smaller local town services but also are used to pioneer new routes such as -

  • Christchurch - Wanaka,
  • Wellington - Whangarei,
  • Wellington - Whakatane,
  • Auckland - Masterton.

New routes planned for The Beechcraft 1900D are: -

  • Christchurch-Te Anau
  • Christchurch-Westport

[edit] Fleet plans

  • Air New Zealand laid up the pioneering bio-fueled Boeing 747-400 ZK-NBS in late 2008. Unable to find a buyer, Air New Zealand has sent NBS to Roswell, USA, to be broken up for parts. The first 747-400 to be scrapped.
  • Ill fated Airbus A320-200 ZK-OJL will not be replaced.
  • Air New Zealand has undergone a cabin overhaul on its Boeing 767-300ER and Airbus A320-200 aircraft, principally so that all seats have a personal entertainment system.
  • Delivery of five 777-300ER aircraft will take place in 2010/2011. Air New Zealand also has options on two more of these aircraft. These will replace the aircraft on routes currently operated by 747-400 aircraft.[10].
  • Delivery of eight Boeing 787-9 aircraft will take place between 2013 and 2015. Air New Zealand also has a further eight options for these aircraft. The CEO has suggested possible new destinations in Africa, India, the Americas, and Asia, possible with the long range of the 787-9.[11]
  • On 28 September 2007 Air New Zealand shareholders approved plans to exercise options on a further eight Boeing 787-9 aircraft and a further three Boeing 777-300ER, worth up to NZ$4.5 billion.[12]
  • On 18 July 2008, Air New Zealand commenced services to Beijing Capital International Airport, in time for the 2008 Olympics.
  • In early 2008 when Boeing delayed the 787 Dreamliner for a third time, Air New Zealand received their first set of delays for their own 787-9 aircraft, delaying the delivery of them from 2011 to 2012. As launch customer for the 787-9, Air New Zealand is seeking compensation for these delays with the possibility of being leased the smaller 787-8 as an interim type. It has also been approached as the 787-10 launch customer when that version begins production in 2015 to take on the Airbus A350, a type that Airbus has wooed Air New Zealand with back to buying that company's products.
  • In 2007 ATR 72-500 had forward replacement study programmes underway. Fleet Replacement Proposed Types (now suspended), were: Bombardier Q400, Embraer E-190 & E-195, and ATR 72-600.
  • Air New Zealand decided to suspend ATR replacement in October 2008 and approved Mount Cook Airline to purchase the eight leased aircraft outright giving them total fleet ownership. (11 aircraft).
  • Boeing 737-300 'urgent' replacement studies are underway, with a decision expected late 2009. Options are between the 737-800 and the A320.
Air New Zealand 747-400s at Auckland Airport.

[edit] Retired

Air New Zealand or its predecessors (NAC and TEAL) have operated:[13]

[edit] Services

[edit] Onboard

[edit] Cabin classes

Boeing 777-200ER cabin with mood lighting.
Business Premier flatbed seat.
The previous Economy short-haul cabin.

On 28 June 2004, Air New Zealand released details of the upgrade to their long-haul product, which was aimed to turn around the profitability of its international services. Every seat on their Airbus A320-200, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 777-200ER and Boeing 747-400 aircraft is equipped with a personal LCD screen with audio video on demand. First class was removed, with an upgraded business class and a new premium economy section installed.

Business Premier Class (business class) features a seat that unfolds into a flat bed. The seats are configured in a herringbone layout (a variation on the Virgin Atlantic Airways Upper Class seat, which was paid licensing fees for use of the concept; similarly used on Air Canada and Cathay Pacific). Each seat has direct aisle access.

Pacific Business Class (Business class) Standard business class seat equipped on Boeing 767-300ER and Airbus A320-200 which are unable to take the lie flat bed but have most of the amenities provided in Business Premier Class.

Pacific Premium Class (premium economy) is in a dedicated cabin, which shares lavatories with the Business Class cabin. The class has the same mood lighting, wine selection and in-seat power as the Business Class cabin. On the 747-400 the seats are wider than Pacific Class, while on the 777 the seat width is the same as in Economy; all seats have more legroom than standard Economy. Following positive reviews and high demand after its introduction, Air New Zealand re-launched its Pacific Premium cabin with added business class services, including amenity kits and improved dining options. Seat pitch is 39 in (990 mm).

Pacific Class (economy class) has a new generation seat design with added space. The seats have a flexible edge seat base to provide more leg support when reclined, and an 8.4" personal LCD screen. Entertainment modules were moved to the side for more legroom. Seat pitch is up to 34 in (860 mm) depending on aircraft.

Space Plus Seating (economy class) is located toward the front of A320-200, 737-300, and 767-300ER cabins providing extra legroom for full fare paying and preferred passengers on domestic and some international services.

[edit] In-flight entertainment

Air New Zealand offers audio video on demand (AVOD) in all classes on service on its 747-400, 767-300ER, 777-200ER, and A320-200 aircraft. The AVOD system features multiple channels of video, audio, music, and games. Passengers can start and stop programs, plus rewind and fast-forward as desired; KiaOra, the airline's in-flight publication, was removed from International flights from March 2009.

[edit] In-flight concierge

Air New Zealand have in-flight concierge staff on long-haul international flights, whose function would be to advise passengers personally on travel advice, onward bookings, and other services. The service is available on routes between Auckland and Vancouver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.[14]

[edit] Koru Club

Main article: Koru Club

The Koru Club is the name for Air New Zealand's network of airline lounges in New Zealand and around the world.

[edit] Check-in kiosks

This was launched in October 2008 at Auckland Domestic terminal. Users use a bar code issued on line or via mobile or PDA to scan for checking in. Most business day travellers can go straight through to their departure gate if not checking in bags. Wellington and Christchurch were equipped in late November 2008 while the larger provincial cities were retrofitted with a smaller system. Smaller destinations received an ATM sized machine (for the Beech 1900D network). Check-in kiosks are manufactured by IER (www.ier.aero)

[edit] Airpoints

Airpoints is Air New Zealand's Frequent Flyer programme. Members earn Airpoints Dollars, which they can redeem at face value on any fare on every Air New Zealand ticketed and operated flight. Members are assigned a tier status, with increasing privileges ranging from Jade to Gold Elite.

[edit] Codeshare agreements

As of 29 November 2007, Air New Zealand has codeshare agreements with the following airlines, aside from Star Alliance partners:[15]:

[edit] Awards

  • Best Passenger Service Award - 2008 Air Transport World magazine awards[2]
  • Best Airline to the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand in December 2007 by Business Traveler Magazine in the United States[2]
  • Australasia's Leading Business Class Airline at the 14th Annual World Travel Awards 2007[2]
  • Best Pacific Airline - 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 TTG Annual Travel Awards[5]
  • Best Airline to the Pacific - 1999, 2000, 2001Travel Weekly Globe Awards[5]
  • Best Business Class Carrier, Best Check-in Staff, 1998 Executive Travel magazine awards[5]
  • Best Airline to the Pacific - 1994, 1995, 1996 Travel Weekly Globe Awards[5]

[edit] Subsidiaries

Zeal320 logo.

[edit] Operations subsidiaries

The following are operations subsidiaries of Air New Zealand Airlines:

  • Air New Zealand Consulting
  • Air New Zealand Holidays
  • Air New Zealand Cargo

Air New Zealand has four wholly-owned subsidiary airlines:

Three are fully-integrated regional airlines – Air Nelson, Eagle Airways and Mount Cook Airline – which serve secondary destinations in New Zealand. Together they make up Air New Zealand Link.

Air Nelson Saab 340A at Auckland International Airport
  • Zeal320 was introduced to help combat increasing labour costs. Zeal320 operates Air New Zealand's trans-Tasman fleet of Airbus A320-200 aircraft under the Air New Zealand brand. On 31 July 2006, flights were re-numbered to the NZ700-999 series for Trans-Tasman services, and NZ1000 series for Domestic services. All of Air New Zealand's A320-200s were registered to Zeal320 until 26 November 2008, when ownership of the fleet was transferred back to Air New Zealand. However staff that work the A320-200 fleet are still employed by this subsidiary. This has been a bone of contention within the airline group in which these employees are paid at a lower scale than their mainline counterparts.[16] Continued industrial action by staff employed in this subsidiary during 2009 have delayed a proposed LCC airline as a successor to Freedom Air that would have also employed the Airbus A320 on domestic routes to counter the likes of Jetstar Airways and Pacific Blue now operating in New Zealand.

Air New Zealand also uses air charter operators Air National and Vincent Aviation, complementing Eagle Airways on selected provincial routes using British Aerospace Jetstream 32, and Beechcraft 1900C aircraft respectivley.

[edit] Technical subsidiaries

The following are technical operations subsidiaries of Air New Zealand:

  • Air New Zealand Engineering Services
  • Safe Air New Zealand
  • Safe Air Australia
  • Tasman Aviation Enterprises (tae)
  • Christchurch Engine Center (50%)
  • Altitude Aerospace Interiors

Safe Air Australia is a subsidiary of Safe Air New Zealand.

[edit] Incidents and accidents

Main articles: Air New Zealand Flight 901, Eagle Airways Flight 2279, and XL Airways Germany A320 Flight 888T
  • On 4 July 1966, an Air New Zealand Douglas DC-8 on a training flight crashed on the runway shortly after taking off, killing two of the five crew (no passengers were on board).[17][18]
  • On 17 February 1979, an Air New Zealand Fokker Friendship crashed into Manukau Harbour while on final approach. One of the crew and one company staff member were killed.[19]
  • On 29 March 1995, NZ2337 from Hamilton to New Plymouth operated by a Kiwi West Aviation Beech Queen Air B80 Excalibur for Air New Zealand crashed 13 minutes after take-off killing all six on board. The plane stalled and spun after both engines failed due to fuel starvation.[20]
  • On 8 February 2008, a woman attempted to hijack Air New Zealand Flight 2279 from Blenheim to Christchurch. Though this was actually an Air National J32 on charter to replace the normal Eagle aircraft.The woman threatened Air New Zealand staff stating she had a bomb on board. Both pilots and one passenger suffered stab injuries. The aircraft landed safely and the woman was arrested.There were no injuries to the other passengers on board.[21][22]
  • On 27 November 2008, (28 November New Zealand time) a leased Air New Zealand-owned Airbus A320-200 (ZK-OJL) registered D-AXLA, on a post-maintenance flight (flight GL888T) crashed into the Mediterranean Sea seven kilometers east of the French city of Perpignan, near the border with Spain. The seven people on board were killed, including four Air New Zealand representatives. The aircraft was on lease to XL Airways Germany, a European-based airline. ZK-OJL was unique in that when sequestered to Freedom Air, was painted in a remarkable Warner Brothers cartoon character colour scheme.

[edit] Controversial topics

[edit] Outsourcing maintenance

On 19 October 2005, Air New Zealand proposed outsourcing most of its heavy maintenance on its long-haul aircraft and engines, which would result in about 600 job losses, mostly in Auckland. Air New Zealand said that there are larger maintenance providers who can provide maintenance work cheaply due to their large scale. The proposal was estimated to save $100 million over five years and came after many attempts to attract contracts to service other airlines' longhaul aircraft.

Eventually, a union proposal to save some of the remaining jobs was accepted. The proposal included shift and pay changes (most of them pay-cuts) which would allow about 300 engineers in Auckland to keep their jobs. 200 were made redundant or resigned.[23]

[edit] Sex discrimination

Main article: Airline sex discrimination policy

In November 2005, it was revealed that Air New Zealand (along with Qantas) has a policy of not seating adult male passengers next to unaccompanied children. The policy came to light following an incident in 2004 when Mark Wolsay, who was seated next to a young boy on a Qantas flight in New Zealand, was asked to change seats with a female passenger. A steward informed him that "it was the airline's policy that only women were allowed to sit next to unaccompanied children". Air New Zealand later admitted to having the same policy as Qantas, attracting widespread criticism.[24]

[edit] Qantas code-share

On 12 April 2006, Air New Zealand and Qantas announced that they had signed a code-share agreement for their trans-Tasman routes and would file for authorisation from the New Zealand Ministry of Transport[25] and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.[26] The airlines maintained that they were making losses on Tasman routes due to too many empty seats, and that a codeshare would return the routes to profitability. Critics, particularly Wellington International Airport and Melbourne Airport, argued that the codeshare would lead to reduced passenger choice and higher airfares, and that the airlines were exploiting an effective duopoly on the Tasman routes. On 15 November 2006 Air New Zealand announced it was withdrawing its application after a draft decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to not approve the code-sharing agreement.

The most notable flaw of the codeshare, however, was the fact that the two airlines were members of separate alliances; Air New Zealand being part of Star Alliance while Qantas is part of Oneworld. (Japan Airlines, Air New Zealand's codeshare partner to/from Japan, is also a Oneworld member, and Mexicana is to become a Oneworld member in 2010.)

[edit] Alternative propulsion

In the effort to develop an aviation biofuel, Air New Zealand and Boeing are researching the jatropha plant to see if it is a green alternative to conventional fuel.[27] A two-hour test flight using a 50-50 mixture of the new biofuel with Jet A-1 in the number one position Rolls Royce RB-211 engine of 747-400 ZK-NBS, was successfully completed on 30 December 2008. The engine was then removed to be scrutinised and studied to identify any differences between the Jatropha blend and regular Jet A1. No effects to performances were found. However Air New Zealand took the opportunity to retire ZK-NBS due to the economic global slowdown in 2009.[28]

[edit] Sponsorships

Air New Zealand is the title sponsor of the Air New Zealand Cup domestic rugby club competition. The airline also sponsors the Air New Zealand Wine Awards and the Air New Zealand Fashion Export Award.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Shares on Issue". http://airnewzealand.co.nz/aboutus/corporateprofile/shares_on_issue/default.htm. Retrieved on 2009-03-28. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f Air New Zealand - Star Alliance Member Airline profile
  3. ^ Does any one airline fly all the way around the world?
  4. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International: p. 64. 2007-03-27. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Air New Zealand History" (pdf). Air New Zealand. http://www.airnz.co.nz/resources/company_history_feb_06.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-02-28. 
  6. ^ McNabb, Denise (4 May 2009). "Fyfe memo reveals Air NZ revamp". The Dominion-Post (Fairfax New Zealand). http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/2381824/Fyfe-memo-reveals-Air-NZ-revamp-and-jazz-up-plans. Retrieved on 2009-05-04. 
  7. ^ Air New Zealand - Official airline to Middle-earth (press release) 14 December 2002
  8. ^ Return of Aragorn and Legolas: Air New Zealand Debuts Newest Flying Billboard 19 November 2003
  9. ^ Updated on 5 April 2009 to show current aircraft use. Information gathered from Air New Zealand website - timetables section [1]
  10. ^ ANZ orders up to seven 777-300ERs to replace 747-400s
  11. ^ Air NZ orders four more Dreamliners
  12. ^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/4218495a13.html
  13. ^ Air New Zealand Company History (PDF)
  14. ^ Bradley, Grant (2007-12-11). "Air NZ hires world's first in-flight concierges". New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10481686. Retrieved on 2007-12-12. 
  15. ^ Co-operation Partners: Travel Info: Air New Zealand – NZ Site
  16. ^ NZ CAA list of registered Airbus A320s retrieved 28 November 2008.
  17. ^ Cranston, Mark (April 2006). "Air New Zealand DC-8 Digest". Simviation Historic Jetliners Group. http://www.simviation.com/hjg/articles/0604_anz_dc8_digest.htm. Retrieved on 2007-09-17. 
  18. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident description Douglas DC-8-52 ZK-NZB - Auckland International Airport (AKL)". Aviation Safety Network. 2005-02-27. http://www.aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19660704-0. Retrieved on 2007-09-18. 
  19. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Fokker F-27 Friendship 500 NK-NFC Manukau Harbour". Aviation Safety Network. 2005-02-27. http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19790217-1&lang=en. 
  20. ^ "Major Carriers". http://www.oreillylaw.com/major_carriers.htm. Retrieved on 2007-11-11. 
  21. ^ "Witness: Airport drama 'like a Bruce Willis movie'". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10491315. 
  22. ^ "Police identify woman who attacked pilots on flight". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10491291. 
  23. ^ "Air NZ engineers accept deal". New Zealand Herald. 24 February 2006. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10369829. 
  24. ^ Ban on men sitting next to children
  25. ^ International air carriage competition
  26. ^ Qantas Airways Ltd & Air New Zealand Ltd - Authorisations
  27. ^ Air NZ sees biofuel salvation in jatropha.
  28. ^ "Vegetable oil tested on NZ flight". BBC News. 31 December 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7805499.stm. Retrieved on 2008-12-31. 

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