Air New Zealand has selected Wellington and Marlborough Airports as the ports for its first all-electric aircraft. The purchase of its first next-generation aircraft, the all-electric ALIA CTOL from Beta Technologies, was announced late last year. The airline will initially operate a cargo-only service in partnership with NZ Post.
Wellington Airport will be the home base of Air New Zealand's first next-generation aircraft. At the same time, Marlborough Airport will also establish charging infrastructure to power the aircraft for the return journey.
Air Zealand’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Kiri Hannifin, said the demonstrator's purpose was to prepare the New Zealand aviation system for introducing lower-emission aircraft.
“We are incredibly grateful to both Wellington and Marlborough airports for being so willing to take on a leadership role in supporting Air New Zealand in establishing next-generation aircraft capability in our business,” said Hannifin.
“Their involvement is critical in supporting the infrastructure required to fly next-generation aircraft, and they’ll help support airports across Aotearoa to make the changes needed for us to fly larger, lower-emissions aircraft on our domestic network starting in 2030.”
Hosting the commercial demonstrator is a real coup for the Wellington airport, which shares Air Zealand's ambition to accelerate the pace of change needed to decarbonise aviation.
“Partnering with Air New Zealand to host the commercial demonstrator is a giant leap for sustainable aviation, providing the basis for all airports to prepare for the next generation of aircraft technology,” said Wellington Airport CEO Matt Clarke.
“Our team put their heart and soul into the hosting bid, and that same energy will now be focused on getting this service off the ground.”
Marlborough Airport's CEO, Dean Heiford, was also proud to partner with Wellington Airport and Air New Zealand to trial the next generation of aviation technology.
“Decarbonising aviation is of global importance, and in New Zealand, maintaining regional connectivity through this transition is of national importance.”
This is a big step for the Marlborough Airport's sustainability journey, which wouldn’t have been achieved without the partnership.
Hosting the demonstrator with Wellington will further cement Marlborough as an essential hub to connect New Zealand across the Cook Strait.
