In a statement announcing Air New Zealand’s half-year results, CEO Greg Foran confirmed that the new 787-9s, which will add to the carrier’s current fleet of 14 Dreamliners and feature the Skynests, are not likely to arrive until next year.
Qantas said the added transparency would vindicate its consistent denial of “slot hoarding” accusations, while Virgin and Bonza have labelled the changes “a step in the right direction”.
The airline blamed “manufacturing delays” at Airbus, which means the first of its specially adapted A350-1000s will not arrive by its original delivery date of the end of next year.