Recasts paragraph 1, updates with further details, background throughout

June 30 (Reuters) - Air New Zealand AIR.NZ announced delays to two new Boeing 787 aircraft deliveries on Tuesday, while separately appointing insider Kris Cudmore as its chief financial officer.

The company said the two new 787 aircraft it had expected to receive in fiscal 2026, out of a total of 10 on order, are now delayed to the first half of 2027. The 2026 financial year ends on Tuesday.

New Zealand's flag carrier said it is "re-profiling" the deliveries and is in discussions with manufacturers.

The update was part of the airline's broader strategy reset, which focuses on returning the airline to profitability and transforming its cost base, targeting NZ$100 million ($56.50 million) in annualised cost benefits from 2027.

The announcement comes at a tumultuous time for the airline, when elevated fuel costs due to the Middle East conflict have piled onto existing pressures, leading the company to forecast its largest pre-tax annual loss in four years in May, and impose two rounds of fare increases.

The company on Tuesday noted significant operational and financial pressures in the past few years, including aircraft and engine availability constraints, rising aviation system costs and a weak New Zealand economy.

It said it would focus on growing its presence in larger markets, and is fine-tuning its premium offerings and allocating more resources to its highest return-on-capital areas.

The airline is also expecting deliveries of new Airbus A321neos for both its international and domestic segments in 2028.

Separately, Cudmore will take up the chief financial officer role on August 3.

He is currently the airline's infrastructure, planning and commercial lead and will be replacing outgoing CFO Richard Thomson, who has held the role since early 2021.

($1 = 1.7699 New Zealand dollars)