New Zealand’s Flag Carrier Purchases 1st Battery-Powered Aircraft

New Zealand’s national air carrier has purchased a next-generation all-electric aircraft to be used for cargo service in conjunction with mail provider NZ Post.
The acquisition is expected to be a catalyst for the widespread use of battery-power aircraft commercially.
As a kickstarter to their Mission Next Gen Aircraft programme, which aims to commercialise battery-powered aircraft by 2026, Air New Zealand announced on Dec. 6 they had purchased a conventional take-off and landing version of the U.S-based BETA Technologies’ ALIA aircraft.
Selecting the ALIA comes after an 18-month consultation process by Air New Zealand with aero-space developers and innovators. Four developers were ultimately chosen to be part of the Mission Next Gen program….