Deliveries of 16 new-build Raytheon Beech 1900Ds to Air New Zealand (ANZ) will start five months late in October due to production problems at the US manufacturer.
A pair of 1900Ds will be introduced to ANZ's domestic feeder network on interim leases during the next few weeks to make up the shortfall in capacity.
The new aircraft were ordered to replace Fairchild Metro IIIs and Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirantes on feeder routes operated by ANZ-subsidiary Eagle Airways to small towns and remote rural communities. The two leased aircraft will initially be used for pilot training. ANZ expects deliveries of 1900Ds to be on track by January when six aircraft should be in service.
Raytheon is experiencing delays in receiving certain components from suppliers, including advanced flight data recorders, says ANZ.
Source: Flight International
