Air New Zealand launches Specialist Aircraft Interior Design Business

Air New Zealand has created a standalone company with 50 staff to capture opportunities in the global aircraft interior design business.

Altitude Aerospace Interiors uses leading-edge computer technology to design some of the most innovative and plush aircraft interiors in the world, and will be staffed by Air New Zealanders with significant expertise in the design and installation of interiors for commercial aircraft and Boeing business jets.

The Auckland and Christchurch-based engineering consulting business, which began operations as a wholly-owned subsidiary on 25 August, specialises in three main product lines - reconfiguring and integrating interiors on commercial jet aircraft, designing customised interior product for commercial aircraft, and designing product and interiors for Boeing business and private jets.

"Over the next five years we expect to double our staff numbers and significantly increase our revenue as we further grow our business to meet increasing demand," Altitude General Manager Michael Pervan said.

Many of the customised products that are designed by Altitude staff are one-off, and can take up to 20,000 hours to develop and test. Products range from partitions, closets, equipment stowage and crew rests to in-flight bar units and luxury furniture such as sofas and cabinets. 

"Our design engineers use highly sophisticated computer-aided design and analysis to develop models and test design concepts. This allows for quicker development, lighter structures, and more complex shapes," added Mr Pervan. "The first item we actually build goes onto the aircraft."

Altitude provides services for Airbus A320s and all Boeing jets but is particularly targeting the new generation Boeing 737, 777 and 787 aircraft types.

Recent Altitude innovations include a sleek sofa that multi-tasks as an office, storage facility and bed for a VIP client; a sophisticated bar unit for V Australia which features curved, embossed walls, sliding stools, a domed ceiling with star light feature and mood lighting and a bar top which houses a selection of alcohol; and a lie- flat crew rest for an Asian-based airline.

In a further development to complement its strengths in design engineering for VIP aircraft, Altitude will open a dedicated Boeing Business Jet refurbishment centre in Christchurch with Air New Zealand Technical Operations at the end of 2008.

The facility will provide end-to-end refurbishment and completion services for Boeing Business Jets utilising dedicated interiors specialists and technicians. Altitude will also combine its expertise in industrial design and integration engineering with a supply chain that leverages New Zealand's high end interior products.

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