From left to right: Ralph Norris, CEO & Managing Director, Air New Zealand, Steven Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft, John Palmer, Chairman, Air New Zealand, Todd Young, Vice President & General Manager, Turboprops, Bombardier Regional Aircraft and John Hambleton, General Manager, Air Nelson, show off the ceremonial key with the Bombardier Q300 in the background.

Air New Zealand takes its first Q300 in colorful ceremony	July 2005

It was one of the most colorful aircraft handover ceremonies ever seen at Downsview when Air New Zealand accepted its first 50-seat Bombardier Q300 turboprop on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary Air Nelson on July 15, 2005. The airline has ordered 17 of the aircraft.

A group of Maori "warriors" comprised of Air New Zealand and Air Nelson flight attendants formed a Kuratao, or Spearhead, a shape traditionally used in battle to "defend and protect" the Bombardier and airline dignitaries as they entered the delivery hall.

The group, called Te Oho Rere, then performed a series of traditional Maori songs and dances, ending with Te Iwi I, a song that pays tribute to ancestors and loved ones who have gone before, and celebrates the past and looks forward with a positive eye on the future.

The performance drew cheers from over two thousand Bombardier Aerospace employees and other guests invited to the ceremony.

When the platform party had moved to the stage, the Lead Warrior presented a Taonga, or precious gift, to John Hambleton, General Manager of Air Nelson, explaining that it had been blessed by a Maori Elder to safeguard the aircraft and all who travel on it.

"This is a landmark day for Air New Zealand and Air Nelson," said Ralph Norris, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Air New Zealand. "The Bombardier Q300 is a sophisticated, modern aircraft offering the ideal combination of economy, efficiency, performance and passenger appeal. With its whisper quiet cabin, made possible by the superlative Noise and Vibration Suppression (NVS) system, the Q400 will provide our domestic passengers with a spacious and quiet cabin in which to travel."

Said Steven Ridolfi, President of Bombardier Regional Aircraft, "The Bombardier Q300 is the most comfortable and cost-effective aircraft in the 50-seat class, and we are confident Air New Zealand will see very positive results and passenger satisfaction from its Q300 operations."

Bombardier's dominant position in the Asia/Pacific region will be expanded with the entry into operation of Air New Zealand's Q300 aircraft. Airlines in 13 countries in the region operate and have ordered more than 200 Bombardier regional aircraft, with more than 70 Bombardier turboprops in Australia and New Zealand alone.