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Air New Zealand has officially embarked on the first trials of its new electric cargo aircraft.
The airline’s first BETA ALIA CX300, N401NZ, which arrived in the country last month, has begun an “intensive proving program” from its base at Hamilton Airport before being sent south to Wellington to fly Cook Strait crossings to Blenheim by the end of January.
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“Sixty percent of regional flights in New Zealand are less than 350 kilometres, and around 85 percent of our electricity is renewable – the perfect laboratory for next generation aircraft,” Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar said.
“While new propulsion technologies are still developing, BETA is leading the way and we’re witnessing a true technology step-change. New Zealand is a country with a pioneering spirit and has always been a fantastic place to try new things.
“In bringing the ALIA CX300 to New Zealand, we’ve experienced true collaboration – a world-leading global innovator in BETA Technologies working with Kiwi engineers, pilots, regulators and airports – all focused on understanding how this emerging technology can be safely and practically integrated into the New Zealand airspace when it’s scalable and ready.”
Air New Zealand is leasing N401NZ for the initial four-month technical demonstrator program, which will allow the airline, as well as partners and regulators, to see how it will perform in local conditions, as well as familiarise pilots and engineers with the platform.
According to Kane Patena, director and chief executive of the NZ Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the trial will allow regulators to “better understand emerging aircraft systems and inform the regulatory frameworks needed to support their safe integration into New Zealand’s aviation network”.
“Emerging aviation technologies don’t always fit into existing rules, so it’s our job to facilitate a clear pathway that helps operators safely bring these technologies into New Zealand’s unique aviation system,” he said.
The airline picked the ALIA from four contenders in 2023, selecting the battery-powered conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version of the aircraft. Air New Zealand has a firm order for one ALIA, with options for an extra two and rights for a further 20.
ALIA is capable of speeds up to 270km/h, has reached ranges of 480km in testing, and can be fully charged in 40 to 60 minutes. Air New Zealand plans to initially operate it for NZ Post cargo services on routes of around 150km, at altitudes of between 1,500 to 3,000 metres.
