AUCKLAND, New Zealand, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Air New Zealand announced its 2.7-billion-U.S.-dollar deal to purchase eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft on Monday.

Speaking in Auckland on Monday Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said it had eight firm orders for new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and an agreement with Boeing includes an option to increase the number of aircraft from eight to up to 20.

"This is a hugely important decision for our airline. With the 787-10 offering almost 15 percent more space for customers and cargo than the 787-9, this investment creates the platform for our future strategic direction and opens up new opportunities to grow," said Luxon.

Air New Zealand said that these new long-haul aircraft will replace Air New Zealand's fleet of eight 777-200 aircraft, which will be phased out by 2025. They are expected to be 25 percent more fuel efficient than the aircraft they are replacing.

It is reported by local media Stuff that Air New Zealand has "big ambitions" to fly a new fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners between Auckland to New York.

Air New Zealand has negotiated a significant discount on current list prices and the parties have agreed not to disclose the actual purchase price.

Air New Zealand's widebody fleet currently consists of 13 Boeing 787-9s, eight Boeing 777-200s and seven Boeing 777-300 aircraft. A 14th Boeing 787-9 will enter the fleet later this year. The first of the 787-10s will join the Air New Zealand fleet in 2022.