Air New Zealand Expands Fleet with 777-300ER Amid Capacity Shortfall

Air New Zealand (NZ) has sealed a deal with Air Lease Corporation to lease a Boeing 777-300ER for three years, further fortifying its long-haul fleet. The aircraft, formerly leased to Cathay Pacific, arrived in Auckland in mid-October and is currently undergoing maintenance before commencing service in mid-November.

The 14.90-year-old jet was in deep storage at Alice Springs from September 2020, having been returned to the lessor by Cathay Pacific. Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran mentioned in September that the lease was imminent but did not disclose the lessor. The jet’s arrival will help address the carrier’s long-haul capacity shortfall as it awaits the delivery of new 787-9s and 787-10s.

This 777-300ER is the first of potentially two, as Foran expressed interest in leasing a second aircraft to alleviate capacity challenges caused by Airbus neo jets going out of service due to the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine recall. Air New Zealand currently operates seven 777-300ERs.

ZK-OKU is set to operate a 3x weekly Melbourne Tullamarine – Auckland – Houston Intercontinental – Auckland – Melbourne route, with additional services into Sydney Kingsford Smith in November. Notably, the aircraft features superior premium cabins compared to Air New Zealand’s existing long-haul product. However, passengers onboard ZK-OKU will not have access to inflight WiFi as the airline lacks a contract to use the installed Panasonic system.

The 777-300ER’s arrival coincides with the conclusion of a wet-lease agreement with Wamos Air for an A330-200, operated on the Auckland – Perth International sector. The service, in operation since October 2022, concludes on October 28, 2023, as Air New Zealand reintroduces one of its 787-9s on the route. Despite the boost from ZK-OKU, the return of the A330 to Spain is expected to exert pressure on Air New Zealand’s widebody stock in the future.