Air New Zealand (Air NZ) has ordered 16 new Beech 1900D turboprops from Raytheon to replace the ageing fleets of Embraer EMB-110P1 Bandeirantes and Fairchild Metro IIIs operated by its commuter subsidiaries.
The 19-seat aircraft are to be delivered over 18 months starting in May, and will all be operated by Hamilton-based Eagle Airways, says Air NZ. At the same time, Nelson-based Air Nelson will lose its fleet of six Metro IIIs, continuing to operate its 13 Saab 340As, says the parent company.
Air NZ chief executive Gary Toomey says the new aircraft will "further enhance our services to the smaller ports on our 26-port network". The airline says that the fleet restructuring will cause "minor changes" to the airline's provincial network schedule.
Source: Flight International
