AviTrader sponsorship ad

Air New Zealand to begin electric aircraft demonstration flights in 2025

Air New Zealand will start testing the ALIA CX300 aircraft from April 2025 © BETA Technologies - Foto cargo version
Air New Zealand will start testing the ALIA CX300 aircraft from April 2025 © BETA Technologies - Foto cargo version

Air New Zealand is advancing its goal of introducing electric aircraft into its fleet with the announcement of a technical demonstrator programme using the battery-electric ALIA CX300 aircraft from April 2025. Manufactured by US partner BETA Technologies, the aircraft will be used to evaluate its performance in New Zealand conditions before commercial operations commence in 2026.

The ALIA CX300 will initially be based at Hamilton Airport for a series of proving flights, with operations gradually expanding to surrounding airports and Wellington. These flights will replicate the planned cargo route between Wellington and Blenheim, set to launch in 2026 in partnership with New Zealand Post. Bringing the aircraft to New Zealand a year ahead of commercial service allows Air New Zealand to refine operations, train pilots and familiarise crews with the technology.

Kiri Hannifin, Air New Zealand’s Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, highlighted the significance of this milestone in achieving the airline’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. “We’re so thrilled to be moving into the next generation of aviation. This future is one where we can fulfil our purpose to connect New Zealanders but with a much lower emissions – something we are deeply committed to expediating as quickly as we can to help meet our 2050 net-zero carbon emissions target. The technology behind this aircraft is incredible, and we’re very proud to be able to bring it to Aotearoa a little earlier to show the country what the future of domestic air travel will look like,” Hannifin said.

BETA Technologies’ founder and CEO, Kyle Clark, praised Air New Zealand’s proactive and collaborative approach, noting that the programme will provide critical data and operational insights to ensure smooth integration of the electric aircraft.

To support the programme, Air New Zealand has invested in 60kW mobile chargers, which will be located at Hamilton, Wellington and Blenheim airports. These chargers can fully recharge the aircraft in approximately 90 minutes.

Share this Article
Friday August 8, 2025
Crestone has announced the creation of Blue Crest Aviation Partners (Blue Crest)
Crestone Air Partners (Crestone), a wholly owned subsidiary of Air T, has announced the creation of Blue Crest Aviation Partners (Blue Crest), a new joint venture with funds managed by Blue Owl Capital. The initiative is designed to acquire mid-life commercial... Read More »
Friday August 8, 2025
LATAM Airbus A321
Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Natixis CIB) has successfully underwritten a senior secured term loan to finance eleven Airbus A321ceo aircraft for LATAM Airlines Group S.A., the largest airline group in Latin America. LATAM, headquartered in Santi... Read More »
Friday August 8, 2025
JetBlue Embraer aircraft
BeauTech Power Systems has signed a sale-and-purchase agreement with JetBlue Airways (JetBlue) to acquire 11 General Electric CF34-10E6 engines, further expanding its engine leasing portfolio. The newly acquired engines will play a critical role in supporting ... Read More »
Friday August 8, 2025
Magnetic MRO
Magnetic MRO has finalised a full two-way integration between SkySelect’s aviation parts procurement platform and AMOS, the maintenance management system developed by Swiss Aviation Software (Swiss-AS). The integration is designed to modernise and streamline... Read More »
Friday August 8, 2025
HAECO has renewed its long-term partnership with ASL Airlines Belgium (ASLB) through a new base maintenance agreement that will run from 2026 to 2029. Under the extended deal, HAECO will continue to provide base maintenance services for ASLB’s Boeing 747-400... Read More »
Friday August 8, 2025
Global 8000 jet
Bombardier has announced a large-scale expansion of its services and support network across the U.S., in a move designed to meet the growing demand for manufacturer-backed aircraft maintenance and care. The multi-phase, multi-site initiative will roll out over... Read More »
Thursday August 7, 2025
© CFM International
Engine Lease Finance Corporation (elfc), headquartered in Shannon, Ireland, has announced the execution of a purchase agreement with CFM International for the acquisition of 50 LEAP spare engines. The deal, confirmed on August 7, 2025, includes a combination o... Read More »
Thursday August 7, 2025
Airlink and Azorra have inked lease agreements for ten E-195-E2 jets
Airlink, South Africa’s full-service airline, has finalised a lease agreement with US-based lessor Azorra for ten brand-new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with first delivery expected later this year, with all aircraft scheduled to arrive by 2027. The agreement f... Read More »
Thursday August 7, 2025
KLM aircraft at Schiphol Airport ©
Pilot union VNV and KLM have reached a comprehensive preliminary agreement that will enable the airline to adequately staff pilot positions, increase revenue, and strengthen its financial position. It is expected that more than 10,000 additional flights can be... Read More »
Thursday August 7, 2025
Image of a Cathay Pacific 777-9 © Boeing
Cathay Pacific has announced an order for an additional 14 Boeing 777-9 passenger aircraft, increasing its total commitment to 35 of the advanced twin-engine jets. The move reflects the Hong Kong-based carrier’s ongoing efforts to modernise its long-haul fle... Read More »
Thursday August 7, 2025
© Shutterstock
Astronics Corporation, a key US-based supplier of advanced technologies to the aerospace and defence sectors, has reported mixed financial results for the second quarter of 2025, reflecting robust growth in its Aerospace segment counterbalanced by ongoing chal... Read More »
Thursday August 7, 2025
TBM and Kodiak aircraft © Daher
Daher Aircraft has announced the establishment of a permanent presence in Brazil, responding to increasing demand for its TBM and Kodiak turboprop aircraft in the region. The new office will be based in São Paulo and will serve as the central hub for Daher Ai... Read More »
Thursday August 7, 2025
Werner Aero has acquired 12 Embraer E190-100 aircraft from JetBlue Airways © Werner Aero
Werner Aero has acquired 12 Embraer E190-100 airframes and twelve CF34-10E6 engines from JetBlue Airways, a move that reinforces its strategic position within the global aviation aftermarket. The deal marks a significant expansion of Werner Aero’s capabiliti... Read More »
Wednesday August 6, 2025
Boeing 737-800
ATI Inc. has announced the extension and expansion of its long-term agreement with Boeing for the supply of high-performance titanium products. The enhanced deal strengthens ATI’s standing as a key supplier of advanced titanium materials across Boeing’s fu... Read More »
Wednesday August 6, 2025
Caerdav
Caerdav has entered into a general terms agreement with AerCap to provide a range of maintenance services across AerCap’s aircraft portfolio. The partnership highlights Caerdav’s flexible approach and in-house engineering capabilities, which were key facto... Read More »
Wednesday August 6, 2025
WLFC
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) has announced financial results for the second quarter (Q2 2025) ended June 30, 2025, posting total revenue of US$195.5 million, an increase of 29.4% compared with US$151.1 million for the same period in 2024. The compan... Read More »
Wednesday August 6, 2025
3TOP expands into Rolls Royce Trent engines
3TOP has completed the purchase of two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 sister engines, bearing serial numbers 41623 and 41624, in a move that strengthens its presence in the wide-body engine market. These engines will join the company’s teardown and leasing pool, prov... Read More »
Wednesday August 6, 2025
ATI East Hartford Operations
Barnes Aerospace has finalised its acquisition of the East Hartford Operations (EHO) division of ATI Forged Products, part of ATI Inc. This move is aimed at strengthening Barnes Aerospace’s position across both commercial and defence aerospace markets and br... Read More »
Wednesday August 6, 2025
Embraer
Embraer has reaffirmed its 2025 outlook, forecasting deliveries of between 77 and 85 aircraft within its Commercial Aviation segment and between 145 and 155 aircraft in Executive Aviation. The company continues to anticipate total revenues in the range of US$7... Read More »
Tuesday August 5, 2025
Shutterstock
Joby Aviation (Joby) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Blade Air Mobility’s (Blade’s) urban passenger transport business, marking a major step in its commercial growth strategy. The acquisition, valued at up to US$125 million in Joby stock o... Read More »

2023 MEDIA KIT

VP Sales & Business Development Americas
Tamar Jorssen
tamar.jorssen@avitrader.com
Phone: +1 (778) 213 8543
VP International Sales & Marketing
Malte Tamm
malte.tamm@avitrader.com
Phone: +49 (0)162 8263049

Subscribe to the most widely accepted news source in the aviation industry!


Free Daily, Weekly and MRO Publications delivered to your Inbox!
News Alerts, Editorials, Marketplace, Executive Interviews +more

Select publications:

*we respect your privacy and AviTrader will not share your email address to any 3rd Parties.