Air New Zealand takes delivery of first new jet since Covid began

Air New Zealand wants the public’s help in naming its new Airbus A320neo, the first new aircraft to join its fleet since the start of the pandemic. The narrowbody jet, with the registration ZK-NHF, landed in Auckland late on Wednesday night following a 21,000 kilometre journey from Toulouse, France. Air New Zealand's chief pilot David Morgan said the aircraft’s arrival was a welcome sign of international travel being just on the horizon. “We’re starting to gear up now so it’s a tremendously exciting time for the team at Air New Zealand.” The short-haul aircraft travelled from France via Canada, Los Angeles, Honolulu and the Cook Islands before arriving in Auckland Airport. Its Honolulu to Rarotonga leg was delayed by a few hours after a technical issue resulted in an aborted take off. It’s the first of two new A320neo aircraft to join the Air New Zealand fleet this month, with the second aircraft expected to arrive late next week. The aircraft, which seats up to 165 passengers and features onboard wifi, is also the first A320neo to join its fleet since the end of 2019. <br/>