Mr Curly the analyst seems to be jumping to a conclusion a bit. If the leased aircraft fly back home, Air NZ are left with 4 777-300 and 4 777-200. Not great for an airline to maintain 4 of anything so he's probably right but the two types have mostly common parts and training.
Quote:
The national carrier has seven 777-300ER with an average age of eight years and eight of the smaller 777-200ER which have an average age of nearly 14 years.
Four of the 777-300ER are owned and three are leased. Of the 777-200ER four are owned and four are leased. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/121...ever-fly-again