ANZ’s Mission Next Gen Aircraft Program Signs New Partners

Embraer, Heart Aerospace, and Universal Hydrogen have joined ATR and Airbus as partners in Air New Zealand’s program to field a zero-emissions aircraft.

Digital rendering of Heart Aerospace's ES-30 electric regional aircraft in flight — Heart Aerospace’s collaboration with ANZ follows its unveiling last September of a design for a 30-seat electric regional aircraft called the ES-30. (Image: Heart Aerospace)

By Gregory Polek • Senior Editor

February 7, 2023

Embraer, Heart Aerospace, and Universal Hydrogen have joined Airbus and ATR as long-term partners with Air New Zealand on its mission to replace its De Havilland Dash 8-300s with zero-emissions aircraft, the New Zealand flag carrier said Tuesday. Air New Zealand’s Mission Next Generation Aircraft program anticipates the first flight of a commercial demonstrator in 2026. Plans call for an aircraft type—likely powered with either green hydrogen or battery hybrid systems—to start replacing the Dash 8-300s in 2030.

“Adding Universal Hydrogen, Embraer, and Heart Aerospace will broaden our knowledge of the technologies being developed for potential future aircraft,” said Air New Zealand’s chief sustainability officer Kiri Hannifin. “This isn’t about selecting a new aircraft. It’s about growing our collective understanding to advance a new era of travel. These partners were selected because they are taking action now to progress decarbonizing the aviation industry.”

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