Airlines
Air New Zealand Starts Trials With Beta's CX300 Electric Aircraft
The airline previously agreed to buy up to 23 of the fixed-wing model
Air New Zealand Beta CX300 aircraft
Air New Zealand is conducting flight trials with a CX300 aircraft it has leased from manufacturer Beta Technologies.

Air New Zealand has begun a series of test flights with Beta Technologies’ Alia CX300 electric aircraft. On October 17, the carrier flew the six-seater on an initial flight from Tauranga Airport before flying it 43 nm to Hamilton Airport where it will be based until December when it is due to relocate to Wellington International Airport.

The U.S. manufacturer is leasing the aircraft to Air New Zealand so that it can be evaluated as part of the Star Alliance operator’s Next Generation Aircraft program. In December 2024, the airline confirmed an earlier agreement to buy up to 23 Alia CX300s, saying that it aimed to be ready to launch commercial cargo operations in 2026.