Carry On: News for business travellers

Boeing signs big order, delivers 7500th 737
Ryanair has signed an order for 175 single-aisle Boeing 737s in a deal valued at $US15.6 billion, though the actual cost may be half that. It’s Boeing’s biggest deal so far this year from a European carrier.  It provides Boeing with a smooth transition in the production and sale of its 737s before it builds the new 737 Max version with a more fuel-efficient engine. That plane is scheduled to come into service in 2017.

Boeing has delivered the 7500th 737 to come off the production line to Malaysia-based Malindo Air, which is a joint venture between Indonesia-based Lion Air and Malaysia's National Aerospace and Defence Industries. Malindo Air is using the 737-900ER to launch its low-fare service. The plane’s Boeing Sky Interior features new modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins.

Meanwhile, Boeing has been testing a new steel enclosure for the batteries of the grounded 787 Dreamliner fleet and is planning a test flight to certify the system with US federal authorities.

Air NZ trials new north-south link 
A new daily service between Nelson and Palmerston North will be trialled by Air New Zealand from July 12 using Eagle Airways and Air Nelson Beech 1900D and Bombardier Q300 aircraft..

Chief operations officer Bruce Parton says the airline has worked with Palmerston North Airport to re-introduce the service, which was last operated in 2008. “This time round we are trialling two return services a day in primetime, which we believe will be popular with business travellers as well as provide convenient connections between the two cities for leisure travellers.”

The 45-minute service will operate twice each weekday with one return service on Sundays. As a result, the last weekday Palmerston North-Wellington service will be retimed to operate later, making it a more viable option for business travellers. Fares are on sale now and start from $79 one way.