Air New Zealand to fly battery-powered electric plane

Like something from a Kiwi version of The Jetsons, a tiny electric plane will before long be zipping across the skies above New Zealand, adorned with the black and white livery and ‘silver fern’ crest of the nation’s airline.

It’s the first member of Air New Zealand’s ‘Mission Next Gen’ low-emissions fleet, and the carrier says it’s a small but vital step “to flying larger, fleet-replacing next generation aircraft from 2030.”

This journey begins with commercial flights of this battery-powered plane – the zero-emission Alia, supplied by US aerospace innovator Beta Technologies – in 2026, although it will be carrying parcels for New Zealand Post rather than passengers.

The Beta Alia is a compact, battery-powered electric plane.

“This is a small but important step in a much larger journey for Air New Zealand,” says airline chief Greg Foran.

“By flying the Alia, we hope to advance our knowledge and the transformation needed in the aviation system in Aotearoa” to large-scale low-emission flying.

The Beta Alia is a compact, battery-powered electric plane.

AirNZ has already purchased one of the elegantly aerodynamic Alia electric planes, with options for an additional two and rights for a further 20.

While Beta is developing a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) version of the Alia designed for ‘urban mobility’, Air New Zealand has chosen the ‘conventional’ CTOL model for airport-to-airport operation.

The Beta Alia is a compact, battery-powered electric plane.

The Alia’s range on test flights has been close to 500km, although Air New Zealand’s initial flights will be on routes around 150km, where the Alia will remain relatively close to the ground at an altitude of between 1500 to 3000 metres.

At 12m long and with a 15.2m wingspan, the Alia can fly at 270km/h – approximately half the speed of AirNZ’s regional ATR and Dash-8 turboprops – and in passenger mode, can be configured to carry six people (including one pilot).

The Beta Alia is a compact, battery-powered electric plane.

A full charge of the Alia’s ‘energy-dense’ battery takes between 40-60 minutes, with Beta having developed two fast chargers – one which can be fixed in place at an airport, the other a compact portable version – which can also charge any ground-based EVs that an airport or airline might use.

The Beta Alia is a compact, battery-powered electric plane.

Beta already holds Alia orders with the US courier firm UPS for use as a short/medium-range cargo aircraft, and New York urban mobility provider Blade, which currently runs passenger helicopter services between the city and its airports.

The Beta Alia is a compact, battery-powered electric plane.

Beta is one of four developers previously chosen by Air New Zealand as partners for its Mission NextGen sustainable aircraft development program.

Closer on Air New Zealand’s radar is the September 2024 debut of its all new Business Premier and Luxe suites, along with a fresh take on premium economy plus the innovative Skynest economy bunk beds, when the first longer-range Boeing 787-9s arrive to tackle non-stop Auckland-New York flights.