It was inevitable.
The 72-600 is hardly a big improvment on the -500 from a passenger and operator point of view.
The Q400 doesn't have enough extra seats regardless of arguments about performance, fleet commonality with Air NSN etc. Why sell your 68-seaters for 74-seaters, spending a small fortune in the process?
The 90-seaters don't even exist as a drawing yet. No point in wasting too much time on them yet.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The 72-500s make a good return on investment. Proven history in NZ, accountants dream. Why change when there's no real reason to do so?
Smart move, I say, disappointing as it may be for the troops.
Bombay