Air NZ selects Hiringa Energy on plans for green hydrogen aircraft 

Air New Zealand has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Hiringa Energy to explore green hydrogen infrastructure for its zero emissions aircraft programme. 

The national airline has also joined forces with some of the world’s leading aircraft developers to make zero-emission flights a reality through its ‘Mission Next Generation Aircraft’ accelerator programme. 

The aviation companies include Cranfield Aerospace, VoltAero, Beta, and Eviation. Air NZ says it will work with the aircraft innovators to have its first zero emissions flight — either cargo or passenger — in the sky from 2026 and begin replacing its Q300 domestic fleet. 

Through a combination of electric, green hydrogen, and hybrid aircraft, these partners will work alongside Air New Zealand over the coming years to focus on developing the technology and associated infrastructure required to make flying these aircraft in New Zealand a reality.

Air NZ chief executive Greg Foran says the airline has chosen to partner with New Plymouth-based Hiringa to learn more about the required supply and refuelling infrastructure needed to fly green hydrogen aircraft. 

“While the aircraft play a pivotal role, infrastructure partners are just as important.

“Through this strategic alliance agreement, we will explore the future green hydrogen supply solutions for our commercial demonstrator ambitions with a focus on ensuring any solutions we create to meet our 2026 goal are also building a platform for larger next generation fleets from the 2030s,” Foran says. 

“Mission NextGen Aircraft is not about backing one innovator. It’s about working with a range of leaders in zero emissions aircraft technology to help move the whole ecosystem along. 

“Our goal is to confirm our commitment with one or more of these partners in the next 12 months with the ambition of purchasing an aircraft for delivery from 2026.

“The learnings we will take from flying an aircraft with next generation propulsion technology from 2026 will then pave the way for our long-term partners to deliver an aircraft that can replace our Q300 turboprop domestic fleet,” Foran adds. 

Hiringa chief executive Andrew Clennett says the strategic alliance is key to accelerating the development of hydrogen as a sustainable and renewable zero emission fuel for both the airline and New Zealand.

“Kiwis will be excited Air New Zealand is taking a lead in identifying zero emissions aircraft and backing local companies like Hiringa Energy to help overcome the challenges of providing green hydrogen to power them.”