BETA ALIA CX300, the electric aircraft.Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand and US-based BETA Technologies have kick-started a four-month technical demonstrator program to test an all-electric aircraft.
The sleek, zero-emission BETA ALIA CX300 cargo aircraft will undertake the testing journey in New Zealand.
The technical demonstrator program will begin with flights from Hamilton, followed by operations between Wellington and Blenheim throughout December and January.
It will help gather operational and environmental performance data. This real-world experiment could help redefine regional air travel.
“Sixty percent of regional flights in New Zealand are less than 350 kilometres, and around 85 percent of our electricity is renewable – the perfect laboratory for next generation aircraft,” said Nikhil Ravishankar, Air New Zealand Chief Executive.
Flight path in testing
The flight path is ambitious. After its time in Hamilton, the aircraft will travel south to Wellington, stopping in Taupō, Napier, and Palmerston North.
The final, and perhaps most vital, phase will be Cook Strait crossings to Blenheim by the end of January. These routes, notoriously challenging due to the region’s strong winds and unpredictable weather, will provide invaluable data.
Vermont-based BETA Technologies has manufactured the battery-electric aircraft.
Its conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) configuration makes it instantly compatible with existing airport infrastructure, offering quiet, zero-emission in-flight propulsion.
The aircraft is designed to fly up to approximately 398 kilometers (247 miles), though the New Zealand flights will test routes up to 200 kilometers (124 miles). It can carry two crew and up to 5.6 cubic meters (200 cubic feet) of cargo.
Notably, the demonstrator aircraft is supported by mobile 65kW chargers at Hamilton, Wellington, and Blenheim airports. These chargers, funded by Air New Zealand’s Climate and Nature Fund, enable a recharge in roughly 90 minutes, making daily multi-route operations possible.
Sustainable aviation services
The trial is a massive collaborative effort involving the airline, the manufacturer, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and airport partners.
Two Air New Zealand pilots, Andrew Mercer and James Owen, are working directly with BETA’s flight operations team. They will undertake flights in a range of conditions and routes, collecting data for global operations.
Following a sunrise blessing ceremony on October 17, 2025, the aircraft completed its inaugural New Zealand takeoff from Tauranga before flying directly to Hamilton that same day.
“Launching this program is an exciting moment for BETA, as it marks the early stages of operations with Air New Zealand. Our aircraft are designed to carry out all types of flight missions, and this program represents the next step in validating and preparing our technology for rigorous, real-world environments,” said Simon Newitt, BETA Technologies’ Head of Global Sales.
Civil Aviation Authority Director and Chief Executive Kane Patena highlighted the regulatory challenge posed by emerging technologies. “Emerging aviation technologies don’t always fit into existing rules,” Patena said, explaining that the demonstrator allows the CAA to “facilitate a clear pathway” for safe integration.
The aircraft will stay in New Zealand until early 2026, gathering extensive data that will power the next phase of sustainable aviation before its return to BETA Technologies.
If all goes as planned, it will enable the launch of lower-emission, lower-cost, next-generation aircraft services in the region.
The Blueprint
