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AirNZ announces multi-billion-dollar investment in aircraft

M&A26 May 2019AIRIndustrials

Stock exchange listings: New Zealand (NZX: AIR) / Australia (ASX: AIZ) / ADR (OTC: ANZLY)


MARKET ANNOUNCEMENT


Air New Zealand postal address: Private Bag 92007, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand

Investor Relations email: investor@airnz.co.nz

Investor website: www.airnewzealand.co.nz/investor



27 May 2019

Air New Zealand announces multi-billion-dollar investment in new

fuel-efficient Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners


Air New Zealand has today announced significant investment in its international network and

customer experience with commitments to purchase eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft

powered by GE Aviation’s GEnx-1B engines.


At today’s list prices, the agreement represents a value of US $2.7 billion. As is usual with such

orders, Air New Zealand has negotiated a significant discount on current list prices and the parties

have agreed not to disclose the actual purchase price.

The first of these highly fuel-efficient aircraft will join the Air New Zealand fleet in 2022 and

together they will have the potential to save 190,000 tonnes of carbon per year.

Air New Zealand currently operates a fleet of 13 787-9 Dreamliners which Chief Executive

Christopher Luxon says have proved to be the perfect aircraft for the airline’s Pacific Rim focus.


“The 787-10 is longer and even more fuel efficient. However, the game changer for us has been

that by working closely with Boeing, we’ve ensured the 787-10 will meet our network needs,

including the ability to fly missions similar to our current 777-200 fleet.


“This is a hugely important decision for our airline. With the 787-10 offering almost 15 percent

more space for customers and cargo than the 787-9, this investment creates the platform for our

future strategic direction and opens up new opportunities to grow,” says Mr Luxon.


In addition to the eight firm orders announced today, the agreement includes options to increase

the number of aircraft from eight to up to 20. The airline has also negotiated substitution rights

that allow a switch from the larger 787-10 aircraft to smaller 787-9s, or a combination of the two

models for future fleet and network flexibility. The delivery schedule can also be delayed or

accelerated according to market demand.


These new long-haul aircraft will replace Air New Zealand’s fleet of eight 777-200 aircraft, which

will be phased out by 2025. Combined with GE’s GEnx-1B engines, they are expected to be 25

percent more fuel efficient than the aircraft they’re replacing.


Mr Luxon signed the letters of intent with Boeing Vice President Commercial Sales and Marketing

Asia Pacific Christy Reese and GE Aviation’s newly named Vice President of Global Sales and

Marketing Jason Tonich at Air New Zealand’s headquarters in Auckland today.







Stock exchange listings: New Zealand (NZX: AIR) / Australia (ASX: AIZ) / ADR (OTC: ANZLY)



MARKET ANNOUNCEMENT


Air New Zealand postal address: Private Bag 92007, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand

Investor Relations email: investor@airnz.co.nz

Investor website: www.airnewzealand.co.nz/investor



Mr Luxon says, “Today’s news is incredibly exciting for our business and our customers as we

continue to invest in the most innovative, sustainable and comfortable aircraft on the market and

deliver on our commitment to grow our business sustainably.


“In connecting New Zealand with the world, we naturally offer a high proportion of long-haul

flights, and these state-of-the-art aircraft will ensure we continue to operate one of the world’s

youngest and most efficient jet fleets.”


Christy Reese, Vice President of Boeing Commercial Sales and Marketing for Asia Pacific says,

“We are honoured to extend our deep partnership with Air New Zealand. This is a bold decision

by the airline and will help carry forward the ambitions of Air New Zealand for many years to

come.


“The 787-10 is the most efficient widebody in operation today with 25 percent better fuel costs

per seat than the aircraft it replaces. In addition, the 787-10 has 95 percent commonality with Air

New Zealand’s existing fleet of 787-9s and will provide the airline with added benefits in terms of

capacity and overall operations.”


Jason Tonich, GE Aviation’s Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing says, “GE is honoured

to be selected to power and support Air New Zealand’s new fleet of 787-10 aircraft with our GEnx-

1B engines.


“The GEnx engine is the leading engine of choice on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with world-

class utilisation, reliability and fuel efficiency that will benefit Air New Zealand and its customers,”

says Mr Tonich.


Air New Zealand’s widebody fleet currently consists of 13 Boeing 787-9s, eight Boeing 777-200s

and seven Boeing 777-300 aircraft. A 14

th

Boeing 787-9 will enter the fleet later this year.


The first new aircraft is expected to join the Air New Zealand fleet in late 2022 with the remainder

delivered at intervals through to 2027.


This constitutes a major transaction as defined by NZX Listing Rule 5.1, and the letters of intent

are contingent upon approval from a simple majority of 51 percent of shareholders. The

transaction will be voted on at the airline’s Annual Shareholder Meeting in September. As a 52

percent shareholder, the Crown has indicated to Air New Zealand’s Board of Directors that the

Government will vote in favour of the transaction at that time.


Ends


Issued by Air New Zealand Communications.

Email: media@airnz.co.nz

│ Phone: +64 21 747 320 │ Twitter: @AirNZMedia

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