Good point Jetkid, this certainly will reduce fleet commonality efficiency if QF take a stake in NZ - given QF's large 737 orders. Do you think this was part of NZ's reasoning?
luftaom, you may well be right. It sounds like they have no current plans to ditch the 763's, just the 762's. Presumably the 763's will still be needed for the medium to long haul routes which can't justify a 744. I wonder which way Freedom Air will go?
PS: Who are PX? Is there a site anywhere for deciphering airline codes?
igel
Jul 4, 02, 2:23 am
Well, I do hope Air NZ is not thinking of convertible 2-3 seats for Trans-Tasman and short haul Pacific business class in its A320, as is so commonly found intra-Europe on BA, LH, SR, OS etc.
------------------
UA 1P, QF Silver
I like NZ,NG,NH,UA,SK,LH & QF
Star Alliance defecting to Oneworld
luftaom
Jul 4, 02, 3:56 am
PX = Air Nuigini
It would be interesting to see if NZ goes for a higher frequency transtasman operation.
They could quite easily sub the 3 767 SYD services (762x2 and 763x3) with a total of 650 seats for 4 A320 services without changing the overall seat capacity. This would give NZ the edge over QF in terms of frequency (3). This could be quite a significant business edge, especially when it comes to attracting the premium PAX.
It will be also be interesting to see if they will start AKL-ADL services (even if it is only 3 days a week). Since they have lost the AN feed their traffic out of ADL has naturally suffered. AKL-ADL is pushing the limits of the 733's but it would be perfect for the A320.
Best Regards
Bradley
doc
Jul 4, 02, 5:07 am
Air New Zealand Says To Detail Major Company Decision At 3 PM NZT
Air New Zealand said Thursday it will detail a "major company decision" at a briefing in Auckland at 3 p.m. local time or 0300 GMT .
The briefing will be hosted by Chief Executive Ralph Norris and Chairman John Palmer, the company said in a statement.
A teleconference facility is available for people who can't attend. No other details were given.
Pleeease don't let this involve a tie-up with QF... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
mad_atta
Jul 4, 02, 5:19 am
I should have checked the website (http://www.airnz.co.nz/mediacentre/pressreleases/index.jsp?articleId=22025&pid=12001) before worrying; it's an announcement of the change to Airbus A320s for short-haul international services:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Thu 04 July 2002
Air New Zealand is acquiring 15 new Airbus A320 aircraft and purchase rights on a further 20 A320 aircraft, exercisable over the next 10 years, under an agreement signed with Airbus today.
"We are bringing in a new aircraft type to support a strategic change in the service and products we will be offering to short-haul international travellers on Air New Zealand's Tasman and South Pacific routes," the Managing Director and CEO of the Group Ralph Norris said in announcing the A320 acquisition deal.
"The Airbus aircraft will give us new capabilities for our short-haul international operations in terms of range, passenger and cargo carrying capacity, seat and cabin configurations, and in-flight services.
"We currently use a mix of Boeing 767 and 737 type aircraft on our short-haul international services and consolidation on a single type aircraft will simplify both operation and support service requirements.
"Introducing Airbus A320 aircraft to our fleet will also expand our engineering capability and enable our ANZES engineering unit to increase its range of third party contract services.
"At this time, we envisage continuing to use Boeing aircraft for Air New Zealand domestic and long-haul international services," Mr Norris said.
Ten of the 15 A320 aircraft, a simulator, spares and other associated items are being acquired via a combination of purchase and leasing arrangements still to be finally determined by the Board of Air New Zealand within a capital investment budget in excess of US$400 million. Five of the aircraft will be acquired from the leasing company GECAS under a standard operating lease arrangements.
The first of the new A320 aircraft will be inducted into the Air New Zealand fleet at the end of October next year, and the 15th aircraft is scheduled to be delivered towards the end of 2006.
These aircraft will replace four Boeing 767-200 aircraft that are currently being retired from the Air New Zealand fleet and nine Boeing 737-300 aircraft that will be progressively retired from the fleet between September 2003 and December 2006.
The purchase of the new aircraft will have a net positive impact on Air New Zealand's financial performance as the enhanced operating efficiency of the new aircraft, and increased seat numbers, more than offset the cost of incremental capital employed in the new fleet.
Financing for the acquisition will be secured against the aircraft and is not expected to affect the Group's gearing levels. The acquisition can be financed without any recourse to the shareholders.
The A320 is well suited to Air New Zealand's needs in the Tasman and short-haul Pacific markets, with more seating capacity than the Group's existing fleet of Boeing 737 and 767 type aircraft. The A320 is capable of carrying containerised cargo and has a greater range than the 737-300 making it a better fit for the missions required by the regional market.
Under the terms of its agreement with Airbus, Air New Zealand has the right to switch between the A320 aircraft and either the larger A321 aircraft or the smaller A319 aircraft prior to delivery, should market conditions change. If this right is exercised, financial terms would be adjusted accordingly.
In addition to its commitment to acquire the 15 aircraft, Air New Zealand has secured purchase rights on a further 20 Airbus aircraft at agreed prices in the future. These rights lock in prices based on current market conditions for future acquisitions by Air New Zealand without any fixed obligation to purchase. These arrangements provide the Group with the ability to replace its entire Tasman and short-haul Pacific fleet within the next decade.
</font>
I like the prospect of A320 rather than B733 trans-Tasman services - you really notice that extra inch or so of seat width. It does seem surprising that they intend to stick with B733s for the domestic fleet - I would have thoughts A319/A320 would be better suited. Could this be the beginning of a general move towards Airbus?
mad_atta
Jul 4, 02, 5:34 am
Exactly how does an A320, with a typical two-class configuration of approximately 150 seats (min 135; max 180 according to the Airbus website) have "more seating capacity than the Group's existing fleet of Boeing 737 and 767 type aircraft"? NZ 762's seat 200 last time I checked...
I do wish they would proof read their press releases a little more carefully before they release them.
Jetkid
Jul 4, 02, 6:52 am
If their Corp Comms department is anything like the one where I work the people writing the stuff wouldn't have a clue what a A320 was from a B767!
You'd have to think they would go with an all Airbus shorthaul fleet and get rid of the 733's altogether.
I'm sure there must be a few people at QF HQ today cursing under their breath, if you know what I mean!
Jetkid http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
luftaom
Jul 4, 02, 6:56 am
Maybe they are working on:
9 x 733 @ 120 seats = 1080
4 x 762 @ 200 seats = 800
replaced with
15 x A320 @ 150 seats = 2250
However having said that, I agree with mad_atta in wishing that airlines wouldn't strech the truth as far as it will go!
Just as an aside, NZ has recently got rid of NCE (a 763), which has now found its way to PX so it will be interesting to see what they do with the remaining 763's. I take it summer leases from LOT are off the agenda!
Best Regards
Bradley
[This message has been edited by luftaom (edited 07-03-2002).]
Zaco
Jul 4, 02, 7:34 am
Sounds like a very smart move. If I remember correctly, a big complaint from Christchurch cargo customers was the lack of cargo capacity on the narrowbody 737s. The A320s, although also narrowbody aircraft, carry bags and cargo in standard size containers and pallets, meaning that every A320 flight that lands in Christchurch can take on cargo. This is also good for the South Pacific islands, many of which are also served by 733s but where strong demand for cargo capacity exists (eg Fiji). The scalabilty is also good, with the A319 and A321 being basically the same as the A320 in terms of maintenance and handling. I agree with Quokka, though, that it would be terrible if they adopted a Lufthansa-style convertable business class with seat pitch and width basically the same as economy, although it would explain how they could then use the same planes for domestic and international service.
Cheers, Zac
P.S. incidentally, I was on a SYD - AKL flight in April with Mr. Norris, a few other senior AirNZ managers and a group of Airbus salesmen. I could see one of the Airbus guys showing one of the AirNZ guys a presentation on his laptop during the flight (I think it was for the A380, not that I think AirNZ would ever order one). I thought then that Airbus was wasting it's time, but I guess not. Oh, and biz was full so Mr. Norris sat in economy - this is even though I'd been upgraded. I think that basically sums up AirNZ's great attitude to customer service - they are willing to upgrade a top tier frequent flyer even over the CEO - Mileage Plus members eat your hearts out http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif! (it also shows that Mr. Norris is probably a nice guy, as I'm sure he could have had me downgraded on the spot http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif)
[This message has been edited by Zaco (edited 07-04-2002).]
Jetkid
Jul 4, 02, 3:07 pm
Mad_atta - Yeah I dont think it would have been a key reason NZ went for Airbus over Boeing, but it does make life a bit harder for QF should they buy into NZ at a later stage of course.
If nothing else I'm sure when the decesion had been made there were a few people in the NZ boardroom who had a smile on their face at that thought!
Jetkid.
744
Jul 4, 02, 9:10 pm
I dont think it will make it harder for Qantas to buy a stake in Air New Zealand. Qantas is getting Airbusses starting very soon.
Jetkid
Jul 4, 02, 9:31 pm
744- Dont get me wrong, I dont think it will make any difference to QF taking a stake in NZ, its sounds like a done deal really.
Jetkid
igel
Jul 4, 02, 9:32 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Zaco:
I agree with Quokka, though, that it would be terrible if they adopted a Lufthansa-style convertable business class with seat pitch and width basically the same as economy, although it would explain how they could then use the same planes for domestic and international service.
</font>
Hey, I was the one who mooted the possibility of Air NZ adopted convertible business class seating with the A320, not Quokka http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
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UA 1P, QF Silver
I like NZ,NG,NH,UA,SK,LH & QF
Star Alliance defecting to Oneworld
Zaco
Jul 5, 02, 5:50 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Originally posted by igel:
Hey, I was the one who mooted the possibility of Air NZ adopted convertible business class seating with the A320, not Quokka http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
[This message has been edited by Zaco (edited 07-05-2002).]
doc
Jul 7, 02, 10:09 am
New planes hint at Air NZ-Qantas merger
Air New Zealand is mirroring Qantas in swapping a significant part of its Boeing fleet for European Airbus aircraft.
And that means no diminished synergies if - or more likely when - they enter an alliance or joint ownership arrangement.
Air NZ chairman John Palmer said his company's decision to negotiate the Airbus deal was a sign Air NZ was "determining its own future".
Air NZ will buy up to 35 new Airbus A320 aircraft over the next 10 years for its short-haul international routes. They will replace four Boeing 767-200s and nine 737-300s on trans-Tasman and Pacific Island routes.