The planes will replace the military's existing fleet of Hercules planes, which have suffered a number of embarrassing breakdowns over the years.
Air New Zealand will reduce many of its trans-Tasman services to just two flights a week and has suspended some altogether, despite suggesting yesterday no routes would be axed.
Air New Zealand says it has leased two aircraft from alliance partner Cathay Pacific as cover while its Boeing 787-9 fleet undergoes required engine checks.
Air New Zealand has reduced flights to Perth and Sydney over the Christmas/New Year period due to required checks on its Boeing 787-9 fleet’s Rolls-Royce engines. As a result, a seasonal two times weekly flight between Christchurch and Perth is no longer going ahead this summer. Also, Air New Zealand said on Monday it would
American Airlines plans to launch Dallas/Fort Worth-Auckland and Los Angeles-Christchurch nonstop flights in October 2020.
Air New Zealand says it will operate extra flights in December on five regional routes that Jetstar is withdrawing from at the end of November 2019.