Air New Zealand purchases its first battery-powered electric aircraft

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Air New Zealand has purchased its first battery-powered electric aircraft.

Chief executive Greg Foran announced on Wednesday that it had bought an Alia CTOL aircraft from US-based company Beta Technologies.

“While sustainable aviation fuels will be crucial to decarbonising our long and short haul networks, next generation aircraft has the potential to decarbonise our regional operations,” he said.

The plane will initially be for cargo only, for which the airline has partnered with New Zealand Post.

The purchase follows 18 months of consultation with 30 organisations, in which Air New Zealand ultimately selected four partners to work closely with to try and achieve its sustainability goals.

“While this aircraft will add to, not replace our existing fleet, it is a catalyst for that change. By flying the Alia, we hope to advance our knowledge and the transformation needed in the aviation system in Aotearoa for us to fly larger, fleet replacing, next generation aircraft from 2030,” Foran said.

The aircraft is expected to become operational in 2026, once it has passed testing and been certified by the Civil Aviation Authority.

The Alia CTOL:

The Alia has flown over 480km in one flight in testing. For Air New Zealand’s initial flights it will travel routes of around 150kms
Given the shorter length of the flights it will likely fly at a lower altitude of between 1500 to 3000m
The Alia weighs three tonnes, is just over 12m long, and will fly at a speed of up to 270km an hour
A full charge of the battery is anticipated to take between 40-60 minutes.