6 Dec 2023

Air NZ purchases first battery powered electric aircraft

From Checkpoint, 5:55 pm on 6 December 2023

The future of flying could be electric. Air New Zealand has purchased its first battery powered electric aircraft to pursue emissions free flying on all small regional flights by 2030.

According to figures published this year ,12 percent of New Zealand's carbon emissions were from aviation compared to the world average of just 2.8 percent.

Air New Zealand is hoping to change that, aiming for takeoff of its first cargo only, carbon zero flight in 2026.

Reporter Louise Ternouth and Camera Operator Nick Monro went for a sneak peek.