Air New Zealand celebrates Delivery of Airline's First 777-200ER

Air New Zealand celebrated the delivery of the airline's first Boeing 777-200ER (Extended Range) airplane, Thursday. The aircraft is on lease from International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC).

This airplane is the first of eight Boeing 777-200ERs, four of which are being leased through ILFC, which Air New Zealand will receive through 2006. The airline has selected Rolls Royce Trent 800 series engines for its 777 fleet.

The Air New Zealand 777-200ER carries 313 passengers in a three-class configuration -- 26 Business Premier, 18 Premium Economy and 269 Economy seats -- and flies up to 7,730 nautical miles (14,316 kilometers). The airplane is capable of serving such routes as Los Angeles-Auckland and Auckland-Tokyo.

"Air New Zealand is one of ILFC's longest and loyal airline customers, a close relationship that spans more than three decades," said Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, Chairman and CEO of ILFC. "The Boeing 777 carries excellent brand appeal and has an extensive international customer base. ILFC continues to experience sustained and robust leasing demand from our airline customers for Boeing 777s."

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