Air New Zealand celebrates arrival of 30th ATR Aircraft

Air New Zealand has welcomed the latest addition to its regional fleet with the arrival of its 30th ATR aircraft, an ATR 72-600.

Registered as ZK-MZG, the aircraft began its service today, January 16, with its inaugural flight from Christchurch to Invercargill.

The newest ATR touched down in New Zealand on December 29, 2024, following a journey spanning more than 20,000 kilometers from Toulouse, France, where it was manufactured.

The aircraft's week-long voyage included stops in Heraklion, Riyadh, Oman, Hyderabad, Kuala Lumpur, Denpasar, Darwin, and Brisbane before reaching Christchurch.

Equipped with the advanced Pratt & Whitney PW127XT engine, this new ATR model is the first in Air New Zealand's fleet to feature this engine type, offering a 3% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to earlier versions. The aircraft is expected to enhance operational flexibility and provide greater reliability for the airline's regional services.