Air NZ’s first electric aircraft makes maiden flight

Air New Zealand’s first electric aircraft to wear the airline’s name took to the skies over Tauranga today, marking the start of a four-month test and familiarisation programme.

The BETA ALIA CX300 is configured as a cargo aircraft and was built in the United States by BETA Technologies. It arrived in the country last week and was blessed at a sunrise ceremony. It is scheduled to fly to Hamilton Airport today to begin a programme of flights in different conditions and altitudes, before shifting to Wellington in December for runs between Wellington and Blenheim.

Baden Smith, Air New Zealand’s general manager – fleet, networks and strategy, said the flight is a key milestone in the airline’s Next Generation Aircraft programme.

“New Zealand has a proud history of aviation innovation and pushing for progress, whether it’s Richard Pearse who first opened the skies with flying machines, to the era of TEAL flying boats, through to engineers and aviators who connected us to the world.

“It’s incredibly special to partner with a global innovator like BETA to ensure New Zealand is a part of shaping what the future of flight might look like both here and around the world. We know aviation will keep changing – it always has. This is a small, cautious step to learn and be part of that change,” says Smith.

BETA Technologies’ director of flight operations Chris Caputo said: “This first flight marks the powerful intersection of pragmatic design and operational innovation.”

“We built the ALIA CX300 on a foundation of simplicity to ensure a fast, safe, and efficient path to commercial service. With this ‘Tech Demonstrator’ collaboration, Air New Zealand is not just validating a single aircraft – they are creating the rigorous operational blueprint that will serve as a model for operators around the world who are serious about unlocking low-cost, sustainable connectivity for their regional communities.”

Air New Zealand has leased the aircraft for four months to study performance in local conditions and begin pilot and engineering familiarisation. The airline will introduce its BETA ALIA CX300 pilots in November once the aircraft is settled in Hamilton.

About the ALIA CX300

• Battery-electric, conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) aircraft designed to use existing airport infrastructure.
• Zero emissions in flight and low noise.
• Configured for two crew and up to 5.6 cubic metres of cargo (200 cu ft).
• Missions of up to ~398km (215nm), designed for all-weather deployment and reliability.

Air New Zealand has installed 65kW mobile chargers at Hamilton, Wellington and Blenheim airports through its Climate and Nature Fund to support the demonstration programme.