How Air New Zealand Plans to Clean Up Its Aircraft by 2026

Air New Zealand airline is betting on four different aircraft projects, including hybrid, electric, and hydrogen.

The New Zealand airline announced its intention to electrify its planes. It has reached agreements with four manufacturers as part of a project called “Mission NextGen Aircraft.” The project is an integral part of the company’s goal to fully decarbonize its fleet by 2050.

Four aircraft for a mission

Air New Zealand has announced the names of four leading innovative companies it will collaborate with. Over the next few years, they will work on developing technology to make these planes a reality. The goal is to have its first low-emission (or zero-emission) demonstration aircraft take off from 2026.

In a statement, Cranfield Aerospace CEO stated, “Mission NextGen Aircraft is not about supporting a single innovator. It involves working with a series of leaders in zero-emission aircraft technology to advance the entire ecosystem. Our goal is to confirm our commitment with partners within the next 12 months.”

An electric-hydrogen balance, but not “zero emission”

Each manufacturer is already working tirelessly on planes that use electricity, green hydrogen, or hybrid energy to fly. Eviation has already announced “Alice,” an all-electric short-haul aircraft. According to the American company, the plane has already “proven itself in flight.” The company Beta (a Vermont startup) is developing an eVTOL called ALIA-250. It can be used for passenger or cargo transport. Cranfield Aerospace is working to equip its current nine-seater Britten-Norman Islander with hydrogen fuel cell technology. The source of this hydrogen needs to be determined, whether produced from renewable energies, low-carbon, or fossil fuels.

Finally, VoltAero is working on a plane called Cassio, which will feature hybrid propulsion. It will not be “zero emission” as Air New Zealand proclaims, since this aircraft will be electric at takeoff and thermal during flight. However, VoltAero specifies that the thermal engine can be adapted with hydrogen or biofuels.

First planes delivered in 2026

The goal is for at least one of these planes to be ready to take off by 2026. It will not just be an object that the airline displays at airshows. Air New Zealand hopes to use it to replace the Q300 (a propeller aircraft) in its current fleet.

Read also: VoltAero Cassio: a hybrid aircraft soon in the skies?