Air New Zealand Becomes First Operator With Aircraft In All Black Rugby Livery

The first of 51 new Airbus A320 aircraft ordered by Air Lease Corporation (ALC) has been delivered and leased to Air New Zealand. The airline has designed a one-off livery for the new aircraft as part of its Crazy About Rugby campaign, evoking the colours of New Zealand’s world famous national rugby team, the “All Blacks”.

Air New Zealand Rugby-Themed A320

It is the first of two A320s powered by IAE to be delivered to ALC and operated by Air New Zealand. “We are very pleased to be delivering the first A320 from our aircraft order with Airbus, to Air New Zealand.  The aircraft’s bold all black livery speaks to the success of Air New Zealand as one of the world’s most innovative and leading airlines” said Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, ALC’s Chairman and CEO.

“This is the first of our new Airbus domestic fleet, with thirteen more A320 aircraft due to be delivered over the next five years,” said Rob McDonald, Air New Zealand’s Chief Financial Officer. “The aircraft will enable us to increase capacity on routes that are beginning to face capacity constraints at some airports during peak times.

“We expected something special to mark the first Airbus delivery to Steven Udvar-Hazy’s new company, ALC, and the Air New Zealand A320 lives up to this. The livery is every bit as stunning as the performance and comfort of the aircraft. We wish both ALC and Air New Zealand a championship year,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

The aircraft is part of an ALC order for 31 A320s and 20 A321s placed at the Farnborough International Air-Show in 2010.

FMI: www.airbus.com