Air New Zealand Aims to Operate Electric Aircraft By 2026

Air New Zealand Signals Next Steps To Decarbonize Fleet

The carrier plans to acquire up to 23 electric or hybrid-electric aircraft and is now working with four manufacturers to replace turboprop commuters.

Air New Zealand is evaluating four electric and hybrid-electric aircraft including (from top left clockwise): Eviation's Alice, VoltAero's Cassio 330, Beta Technologies' Alia 250 and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions' planned hydrogen conversion of the Britten Norman Islander. — Air New Zealand is evaluating four electric and hybrid-electric aircraft including (from top left clockwise): Eviation's Alice, VoltAero's Cassio 330, Beta Technologies' Alia 250, and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions' planned hydrogen conversion of the Britten Norman Islander. (Image: Air New Zealand)

By Hanneke Weitering • Science & Technology Editor

December 15, 2022

Air New Zealand, which recently announced its ambition to bring zero-emissions flights to the country by 2026, has selected four major partners for the new program, called Mission Next Generation Aircraft. This week the carrier confirmed that Eviation, Beta Technologies, VoltAero, and Cranfield Aerospace—all companies working on either electric, hybrid, or hydrogen-powered aircraft—will support its efforts to demonstrate the viability of reducing carbon emissions.

On December 13, Air New Zealand announced it has signed a letter of intent to purchase an initial three aircraft, with the option for 20 additional aircraft, from at least one of the four partners. The airline will select exactly which aircraft and how many units it will purchase after an evaluation process expected to wrap up in the next 12 months.

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