Air New Zealand has said that it has upgraded an order for four Boeing 787-8 aircraft to the larger 787-9.

Air New Zealand will reportedly be the first airline to introduce the 787-9. The 787-9 can carry up to 280 passengers, which is 30 more than the earlier ordered model.

The airline aims to have the 787s operating by 2010/11, according to Reuters.

The upgrade will reportedly cost about USD120m extra at list prices as the 787-9 has an airframe price of USD183m compared with USD148-158m for the 787-8. Air New Zealand will use Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines for the 787 aircraft.

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