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https://thedriven.io/2025/10/21/air-new-zealand-launches-its-first-electric-aircraft/>
"The first electric aircraft to bear the Air New Zealand brand name took to the
skies late last week for its first test flight in the land of the long white
cloud.
Air New Zealand teamed up with American global aviation innovator Beta
Technologies to test one of its Alia electric conventional take-off and landing
(CTOL) aircraft.
Leased for four months as part of a technical demonstrator programme, Air New
Zealand will have the opportunity to see how the Alia CTOL aircraft performs in
local conditions, as well as start familiarisation for pilots and engineering
teams.
The demonstration also serves as the perfect opportunity for New Zealanders to
witness battery electric aviation technology up close.
The Alia CX300 arrived in New Zealand last week and was blessed at a sunrise
ceremony in Tauranga. The aircraft was then flown to Hamilton Airport and will
move to Wellington Airport in December for a further two-month period.
Baden Smith, Air New Zealand’s general manager for fleet, networks, and
strategy, said that this first test flight marks an important milestone in the
airline’s Next Generation Aircraft programme, and the innovation journey the
airline is on to understand how different technology might work in New Zealand
and globally in the future."
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
