Air New Zealand “Accelerates Toward Electric Aircraft Operations, Increases Order and Collaboration with BETA Technologies”
Air New Zealand (ANZ) has expanded its commercial partnership with U.S‑based eVTOL developer and manufacturer, BETA Technologies, adding an electric Technical Demonstrator aircraft and several charging solutions to its previous order, reports a press release.
This marks another significant step in Air New Zealand’s plans “to operationalise BETA’s next-generation ALIA CTOL aircraft in commercial routes beginning in 2026,” explains the release.
ANZ is to receive an ALIA CTOL from BETA in 2025, for six months of early familiarisation practices including the pilot and maintenance teams, as well as route planning, operations, and ground support teams.
The release continues, “The company has also added BETA chargers to its order, including one Charge Cube for permanent installation and several of BETA’s mobile MiniCube chargers to expand the network footprint in New Zealand.This additional purchase is the latest in a series of steps Air New Zealand has taken toward making its operations more sustainable and cost-effective.”
Kiri Hannifin, ANZ’s Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Office, remarked, “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 to help meet our 2050 net zero carbon emissions target.”
She continued, “A number of our Air New Zealand pilots will have the opportunity to learn to operate the aircraft alongside BETA pilots. This not only allows them to gain experience on a completely new type of aircraft, but it will also guide the airline’s work to develop the processes and policies required to operate the aircraft commercially in 2026.”
Following “an 18-month period of due diligence and a down-selection process from 30 OEMs,” ANZ announced last year that BETA’s ALIA CTOL would be its first purchase of a next generation aircraft.
Since, the airline has:-
: Decided on an initial mission – carrying cargo for the NZ Post.
: Identified a route flying between Wellington and Blenheim between the North & South Islands.
: Invested in the remaining key elements of the AAM ecosystem, including charging infrastructure and training assets.
Kyle Clark, BETA’s Founder and CEO, commented, “We have been very impressed with the practical, operations-focused approach Air New Zealand has taken from the very beginning of this process. They have leaned all the way in, working with us step by step to set solid foundations across every part of the ecosystem to ensure successful entry into service.”
He added, “The Tech Demonstrator and chargers will allow us to collect data and refine the operations so Air New Zealand can hit the ground running with low-cost electric service upon delivery of their first certified aircraft.”

With the early access to the aircraft and charging infrastructure being delivered in 2025, the ANZ team will be able “to conduct critical baseline training, such as flight training and abnormal procedures familiarisation, and can begin longer-term evaluations of things like commercial service route selection,” says the release.
It goes on, “Beginning actual flight operations will allow local residents and government leaders alike to gain familiarity and comfort with the quiet technology and what it will bring to New Zealand in terms of economic and sustainability goals.”
For more information
(Top image: Kyle Clark, Kiri Hannifin, David Morgan (ANZ))
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