Air New Zealand has announced it will equip its turboprop fleet with $25 million of technology that should make bad weather less of a problem in airports like Queenstown.
The national carrier has entered a partnership with aircraft manufacturer ATR to equip its 68-seat turboprop fleet with advanced required navigation performance (RNP AR) technology.
RNP AR enabled specially trained pilots to fly at lower altitudes with a more precise and efficient route into airports, saving fuel and emissions and helping reduce the impact of bad weather on services.
The airline announced the move last night at the Winehouse, in the Gibbston Valley.
That followed news late last year it would purchase 15 new ATR72-600 aircraft to operate its regional services, four to allow further growth on regional routes and 11 to replace its ATR72-500 fleet, bringing its ATR fleet to 29 aircraft.
Air New Zealand chief flight operations and safety officer Captain David Morgan said the technology would greatly benefit passengers.
"This technology will enable us to provide a more consistent service for customers who travel on our ATR aircraft where weather conditions can at times prove challenging for our turboprop operations, particularly over the winter months.''
The first RNP AR equipped aircraft was expected to enter the fleet in 2018.
