Air New Zealand and BETA Technologies team up for first electric aircraft take-off in Tauranga today

The aircraft was manufactured in the United States by global aviation innovator BETA Technologies. It arrived in the country and was blessed at a sunrise ceremony in Tauranga. The aircraft is expected to fly to Hamilton Airport where it will be based before moving to Wellington Airport for a further two months in December. 

Baden Smith, Air New Zealand’s General Manager - Fleet, Networks and Strategy, says the first 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.  

New Zealand has a proud history of aviation innovation and pushing for progress, whether it’s Richard Pearse who first opened the skies with flying machines, to the era of TEAL flying boats, through to engineers and aviators who connected us to the world. 

It’s incredibly special to partner with a global innovator like BETA to ensure New Zealand is a part of shaping what the future of flight might look like both here and around the world. We know aviation will keep changing - it always has.  This is a small, cautious step to learn and be part of that change" says Baden Smith. 

BETA Technologies Director of Flight Operations, Chris Caputo, says, "This first flight marks the powerful intersection of pragmatic design and operational innovation.  

We built the ALIA CX300 on a foundation of simplicity to ensure a fast, safe, and efficient path to commercial service.  With this ’Tech Demonstrator’ collaboration, Air New Zealand is not just validating a single aircraft - they are creating the rigorous operational blueprint that will serve as a model for operators around the world who are serious about unlocking low-cost, sustainable connectivity for their regional communities" 

The ALIA CX300 has been leased by Air New Zealand for four months for a technical demonstrator programme, which enables the airline, alongside partners and regulators, to learn how the aircraft will perform in New Zealand conditions, and to start pilot and engineering familiarisation.  It’s also an opportunity for New Zealanders to see battery-electric aviation technology up close. 

During the aircraft’s time in Hamilton, Air New Zealand and BETA teams will undertake a programme of flights in a range of conditions and altitudes.  In December it will move to Wellington, where it will complete flights between Wellington and Blenheim. 

Key facts and figures about the ALIA CX300:  

The ALIA is a versatile aircraft built for real-world flight. Its conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) configuration make it a good fit for existing airport infrastructure, and its battery-electric propulsion is quiet, with zero emissions inflight.  

Designed for all-weather deployment and reliability, BETA’s CTOL aircraft can accommodate two crew members and up to 5.6 cubic metres of cargo (200 cubic feet) on missions of up to approximately 398 kilometres (215 nautical miles). The aircraft has been designed to leverage existing airport infrastructure and fly in accordance with existing procedures to enable rapid adoption.  

Air New Zealand will be introducing its BETA ALIA CX300 pilots in November after the aircraft arrives in Hamilton. 

Notes to editors: 

• Air New Zealand has invested in the required charging facilities to support the operation through its Climate and Nature Fund. 65kW mobile chargers will be based at Hamilton, Wellington and Blenheim airports.

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand’s story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It’s a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 9.9 years. Air New Zealand’s global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2024, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2025 World’s Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline’s laser-focus on safety.

Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia and North America, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline’s efforts in tackling some of New Zealand’s and the world’s most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand’s loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn Airpoints Dollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.

About Star Alliance

The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, based on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless service. Since inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a focus on improving customer experience across the Alliance journey.

The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 16,000 daily flights to almost 1,200 airports in 186 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partners Juneyao Airlines and THAI Smile Airways.

For more information about Air New Zealand visit www.airnewzealand.com and for more information about Star Alliance visit www.staralliance.com