NZ Rugby World Cup livery

[David Ramsay]

Air New Zealand today revealed the new livery design for the first aircraft in its new domestic jet fleet.

The new all black livery was unveiled in Sydney today by Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe, in recognition of the airline's long time support of the nation's favourite game.

"In celebration of Air New Zealand's long running support of rugby in New Zealand, our first new A320 will arrive in January sporting a sleek black livery complete with silver fern motif and Koru on its tail," says Rob Fyfe.

Air New Zealand's sponsorship of the New Zealand Rugby Football union, including the All Blacks, enters its seventeenth year in 2011.

The first aircraft will be the only one in the fleet featuring the new all black livery.

"Air New Zealand is crazy about rugby and from February this distinctive new plane will be operating on our main domestic New Zealand routes, says Mr Fyfe.

The new domestic fleet of A320 aircraft, combined with Air New Zealand's new long-haul fleet of Boeing 777-300 aircraft, which begin arriving from the end of this year, will ensure the airline continues to have one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the world.

See the video here