Third A320 added, with “critical focus” on domestic operations. Image: Air NZ

In an effort to boost and better its domestic network and services, Air New Zealand will introduce an extra A320 to its fleet in 2013.

Three new A320s will join the airline’s domestic network, helping to phase out Air NZ’s Boeing 737s, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Air NZ originally planned to introduce just two A320s but added a third to help increase capacity and lower costs, thanks to the fuel efficiency of the Airbus aircraft.

In 2009 Air NZ revealed it was purchasing 14 new Airbus A320 aircraft, to replace the 737-300s.

In September 2012 domestic rival Jetstar added its ninth aircraft to its New Zealand fleet, helping to service an additional 36 weekly return flights to the country’s three largest cities.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said the domestic market was “an area of critical focus” for the airline in 2013, “so expect to see our efforts to be the number one choice for even more leisure and business travellers’ ramp up as the year gets underway.”

“Since joining Air New Zealand in 2011 the airline has become far more than a workplace, more a way of life for me, and for my family... it is certainly a business and a culture that gets under your skin,” Mr Luxon said.

Mr Luxon added Air NZ’s ‘Go Beyond’ strategy would be unveiled over the next two months.

“Let me assure you what I envisage for our business is evolution, not revolution,” Mr Luxon said.