<\/p>\n
\nThe new maintenance base at Auckland Airport.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Calvin Samuel\n<\/p>\n
Years after it was first announced, Air New Zealand has unveiled its huge new maintenance base at Auckland Airport and says it marks a bold step in its operations.<\/p>\n
Hangar 4 is touted as a state-of-the-art facility and one of the national carrier’s most significant investments in its infrastructure.<\/p>\n
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\nOutgoing chief executive Greg Foran and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at Friday’s opening.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Calvin Samuel\n<\/p>\n
It is the largest single-span arch aircraft hangar made from timber in the Southern Hemisphere.<\/p>\n
The hangar is 10,000 square metres, 35 metres high and almost 100 metres wide.<\/p>\n
Air New Zealand said that space meant it could house a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and two Airbus A320 or A321s at the same time.<\/p>\n
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Photo: RNZ \/ Calvin Samuel\n<\/p>\n
It said it will also prepare the airline for the future as it awaits next-generation aircraft, with the hangar desigend to last five decades.<\/p>\n
Timber was chosen because of its lighter weight and ability to be sustainably sourced, the airline said.<\/p>\n
It’s made from wood from plantations in Nelson and Wodonga, north-east of Melbourne.<\/p>\n
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Photo: RNZ \/ Calvin Samuel\n<\/p>\n
The hangar’s trusses each weigh 38 tonnes and were built in 25 metre sections by being put together on site and lifted into place with the country’s largest crawler crane.<\/p>\n
There is no surface cabling, with underground service pits being used instead.<\/p>\n
Air New Zealand said Hangar 4 connects with Hangar 3 next door through shared workshops and tool stores which will boost efficiency across its maintenance.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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Photo: RNZ \/ Calvin Samuel\n<\/p>\n
The numbers<\/p>\n
First announced in 2019
\n10,000 square metres
\n35 metres high
\n98 metres wide
\nDesigned to serve the next 50 years
\nTargeting a 6 Green Star rating<\/p>\n
New hangar ready as airfares expected to rise<\/p>\n
Chairwoman Therese Walsh acknowledged at Friday’s opening there had been difficult times for the airline.<\/p>\n
Air New Zealand reported a profit drop last month and warned passengers should expect airfares to be hiked 5 percent to meet increasing costs.<\/p>\n
Net profit of $126 million, down from $146m the year before, came amid soft demand and continuing engine maintenance and plane supply issues.<\/p>\n
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\nAn Air New Zealand aircraft at the new maintenance base in Auckland.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Calvin Samuel\n<\/p>\n
The airline said at the time it had been hard coping with fewer people flying and, at times, more than 10 planes grounded for engine maintenance.<\/p>\n
It had also been grappling with rising fuel costs and regulatory charges.<\/p>\n
Outgoing chief executive Greg Foran warned at the profit announcement that the coming year would be as tough as the last.<\/p>\n
Air New Zealand said its fuel bill had fallen 12 percent because of lower world prices and fewer flights, but it was offset by higher equipment, labour and landing charges.<\/p>\n
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Photo: RNZ \/ Calvin Samuel\n<\/p>\n
A cost cutting programme had resulted in about $100m in savings.<\/p>\n
Last year the airline sent planes that were out of service because of ongoing Rolls Royce and Pratt & Whitney engine supply challenges to be stored in Alice Springs.<\/p>\n
It sent A321 and 787 planes that could not be used, with up to four aircraft on the ground there at any one time.<\/p>\n