Air New Zealand: Confident No Risk to Boeing 787-9 Delivery Timing

   By Rebecca Howard 
 

WELLINGTON, New Zealand--Air New Zealand Ltd. (AIR.NZ) Thursday said it is confident Boeing Co.'s (BA) 787-9 will be delivered on schedule in mid-2014.

The 787-9 is the larger version of the 787 Dreamliner, able to carry about 40 more passengers and fly slightly farther than the current model, which carries around 250. Air New Zealand is the global launch customer for the aircraft.

"We are reassured and very confident that there is no risk to production or delivery timings around the 787-9 for the middle of the next year," Chief Executive Christopher Luxon said on a media conference call.

Boeing has come under significant pressure after global aviation regulators temporarily grounded the 787 Dreamliner due to potential safety risks over the jetliner's lithium-ion batteries.

"If I was taking delivery of those aircraft in the next three to six months, we might have some concerns, but that is not our reality," Mr. Luxon said. However, he said, he is confident Boeing will resolve the issue.

"The Boeing 787-9 aircraft is going to be a game-changer aircraft for us. We remain really committed to it," he said.

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