Air NZ electric aircraft may fly commercially in 2028, but CEO says more knowledge needed
Air New Zealand’s electric aircraft will leave on a ship for America next month, having finished its trials across the Cook Strait.
The airline could be operating the Beta Technologies Alia CX300 as soon as 2028 but was yet to make detailed decisions about the aircraft’s future.
Chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar told a parliamentary committee late last week the Alia CX300 trial was important.
“The New Zealand aviation system is world-renowned for being ahead of the curve and this is this generation’s contribution to that legacy.”
But Ravishankar told the transport and infrastructure committee: “It’s unclear whether that’s the aircraft that’s part of our solution or not.”
He said the airline was trying to understand what the impact of electric aviation could look like and what type of infrastructure was needed.
Air New Zealand’s last day with the aircraft is this Friday before it is returned to Vermont-based Beta.
Baden Smith, the airline’s general manager for strategy, networks and fleet, said the aircraft will leave on a ship from Tauranga, similar to how it arrived last October.
Smith said the airline’s Next Generation Aircraft Programme planned to operate a CX300 commercially, once the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) gave it certification.
The airline said the indicated production timeline was around 2028.
Pilots who usually flew Boeing 777 and 787 widebody aircraft were deployed on the electric aircraft demonstrator.
“My first flying job nearly 20 years ago was operating a similarly sized aircraft,” pilot James Owen said.
“And it was less about just flying and more about working with a small team, solving challenges and engaging with the public.”
Owen, who usually flew a 777, said the electric aircraft’s visit was a learning experience for everyone.
Pilot Andrew Mercer said the Alia challenged people’s preconceptions of electric aircraft and demonstrated what the future of aviation could look like.
“Over the last three years, watching what initially was a far-fetched idea transform into a key partnership has been a pleasure.”
Smith told the Herald the Alia was flown in a variety of weather conditions.
“A key objective of the programme was to operate in real-world conditions simulating a commercial cargo operation, and the aircraft performed well within its respective approvals across all operational environments it was exposed to.”
It visited 12 airports during cross-country flying.
It also conducted more than 100 flights from bases in Hamilton and Wellington.
Smith said the aircraft has been flown at regional airports such as Blenheim and Nelson and can operate off runways of about 1200m long, depending on conditions.
He said Wellington Airport supported the trial.
Smith said Marlborough Airport completed a transformer upgrade to provide the required power.
Both airports installed higher-power outlets, enabling the aircraft to recharge in about one and a half hours using the Minicube +, Beta’s mobile charging solution.
Smith said the Minicube was 65 kilowatts (kW) but a full-size charger would be 320kW. That compared to an electric car fast charger of 120kW.
“Like all aircraft, electric aircraft must land with sufficient reserve energy, so the aircraft always lands with battery energy remaining as a back-up.”
John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation and court. He has previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts.
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