Air NZ’s first electric aircraft takes off from Tauranga ahead of inter-island summer trips

This flight is a big milestone for Air New Zealand

The national carrier’s first electric aircraft has completed its maiden test flight in Tauranga.

Air NZ’s first electric aircraft takes off from Tauranga ahead of inter-island summer trips

Could this be an alternative to long, choppy boat crossings? A battery-powered aircraft had a test flight today and is expected to fly across the Cook Strait...

AirNZ’s first electric aircraft coming to Wellington in December

News from Air New Zealand The first electric aircraft to carry the Air New Zealand name has hit the skies today, with the BETA ALIA CX300 taking off from Tauranga Airport in its first test flight in New Zealand. The aircraft was manufactured in the United States by global aviation innovator BETA Technologies. It arrived […]

Air New Zealand Conducts First Electric Flight

Air New Zealand and U.S.-based manufacturer BETA Technologies conducted their first flight of the BETA ALIA CX300 electric aircraft today from Tauranga Airport. The flight begins a four-month demonstrator program designed to assess the aircraft’s performance in New Zealand conditions. Following the initial flight, the aircraft is scheduled to move to Hamilton Airport for additional testing before continuing to Wellington in December. The aircraf…

Air NZ's electric aircraft completes maiden flight

Air New Zealand’s inaugural electric aircraft took to the skies on October 17, 2025, with the BETA ALIA CX300 completing its first test flight from Tauranga Airport (TRG). The aircraft, manufactured by US-based aviation innovator BETA Technologies, arrived in New Zealand a week earlier, and was blessed during a sunrise ceremony in Tauranga. The aircraft then successfully flew to Hamilton International Airport (HLZ), where it will be based before…

Air New Zealand teams up with BETA Technologies for first electric aircraft take-off in Tauranga

Air New Zealand teams up with BETA Technologies as the first electric aircraft to carry the Air New Zealand name takes off from Tauranga Airport.