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Air New Zealand News
Air New Zealand to fly first electric aircraft around Aotearoa
The ALIA CX300 aircraft, manufactured in the US by partner BETA Technologies, will allow the airline to understand how this new technology performs in New Zealand.
www.airnewzealand.com.sg

Air New Zealand's dream to fly its first electric aircraft around Aotearoa is a step closer with the announcement it will fly a battery-electric aircraft in a technical demonstrator programme based in Hamilton and Wellington from April 2025.
The ALIA CX300 aircraft, manufactured in the US by partner BETA Technologies, will allow the airline to understand how this new technology performs in New Zealand before the battery-electric commercial aircraft arrives in 2026 to fly cargo between Wellington and Blenheim.
This announcement brings an ALIA aircraft to Aotearoa one year earlier than the airline's commercial cargo services between Wellington and Blenheim begin. Having the aircraft type here before commercial services start gives the airline a longer runway to understand how the aircraft will perform in New Zealand, begin pilot and crew familiarisation, and allow ample time to share the technology with New Zealanders.
The ALIA CX300 programme will initially be based out of Hamilton Airport where it will complete a series of proving flights. From there, the Air New Zealand and BETA teams will gradually expand flights to surrounding airports before making the journey to Wellington, where it will complete flights designed to replicate the cargo operation planned in 2026 with New Zealand Post.
Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer Kiri Hannifin says while this aircraft won't be operating commercially, it will give the airline and the wider New Zealand aviation system a fantastic opportunity to understand its smallest but most exciting addition to the fleet.
The airline has also invested in the required charging facilities to support the operation through its Climate and Nature Fund. 60kW mobile chargers will be based at Hamilton, Wellington and Blenheim airports and will recharge the aircraft in around 90 minutes.
www.airnewzealand.com