Charged for Takeoff: Air New Zealand Launches Historic Flight Trials with All-Electric CX300 Jet
TAURANGA, New Zealand—The future of sustainable air travel officially took flight in New Zealand this week. Air New Zealand and U.S.-based manufacturer BETA Technologies successfully conducted the maiden test flight of the ALIA CX300 all-electric aircraft, marking a major milestone in the airline’s mission to decarbonize its regional network.
The flight, which launched from Tauranga Airport on Friday, October 17, 2025, begins a four-month technical demonstration program designed to test the aircraft’s performance in New Zealand’s unique operating conditions.
Zero Emissions, Real-World Missions
The ALIA CX300 is a battery-electric aircraft built by the global aerospace innovator BETA Technologies. Air New Zealand has leased the aircraft for its “Next Generation Aircraft programme” to develop a rigorous operational blueprint that could serve as a model for other regional operators worldwide.
Key facts about the test aircraft:
- Propulsion: It uses battery-electric power, resulting in zero emissions in flight.
- Configuration: The aircraft is configured as a cargo jet, capable of accommodating two crew members and up to 5.6 cubic meters of cargo (200 cubic feet).
- Range: It has an approximate mission range of 398 kilometers (215 nautical miles).
- Design: Its Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) design allows it to use existing airport infrastructure, enabling rapid adoption.
The Trial Program Schedule
Following its inaugural flight, the ALIA CX300 is scheduled to continue its testing across New Zealand:
- Hamilton Base: The aircraft immediately flew to Hamilton Airport, where it will be based for two months of extensive testing under a range of conditions and altitudes. Air New Zealand plans to introduce its first BETA ALIA CX300 pilots to the program in November.
- Wellington and Blenheim: In December, the jet will relocate to Wellington Airport, where it will complete regional test flights between Wellington and Blenheim, replicating the kind of cargo operations planned for commercial launch.
Air New Zealand has invested in mobile 65kW charging stations at the trial airports (Hamilton, Wellington, and Blenheim) to support the demonstration.
Baden Smith, Air New Zealand’s General Manager of Fleet, Networks and Strategy, emphasized the significance of the project. “It’s incredibly special to partner with a global innovator like BETA to ensure New Zealand is a part of shaping what the future of flight might look like both here and around the world,” he said.
Conclusion
The successful maiden flight of the electric BETA ALIA CX300 positions Air New Zealand at the forefront of the global movement toward zero-emission aviation. By focusing on testing the aircraft’s performance in local conditions, the airline is laying the groundwork for integrating next-generation aircraft into its regional fleet by 2030. This cautious but ambitious step confirms that Air New Zealand is serious about leading the industry into a more sustainable era.
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Disclaimer
The details in this report are based on official announcements from Air New Zealand (https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/) and BETA Technologies. The ALIA CX300 is currently undergoing a technical demonstration program and is not operating commercial passenger flights. Commercial service remains subject to certification by the Civil Aviation Authority and future fleet decisions.
