Air New Zealand uses Beta’s Alia for Mission Next Gen Aircraft program

Air New Zealand (Auckland, New Zealand) has selected the Alia as the airline’s first purchase of a next generation aircraft in its Mission Next Gen Aircraft program. Designed by electric aerospace company Beta Technologies  (Burlington, Ver., U.S.), the composite battery-powered all-electric aircraft is expected to join Air New Zealand’s fleet in 2026. Air New Zealand is purchasing the conventional takeoff and landing version of the Alia.

The announcement follows an 18-month period of evaluation and diligence by Air New Zealand. Through the airline’s Mission Next Gen Aircraft program, it sought and received ideas and insights from 30 organizations, selecting four partners to work closely with on its goal of launching commercial flights using next generation aircraft in 2026. Beta’s Alia aircraft is the first commercial order in the program.

Air New Zealand will initially operate the aircraft as a cargo-only service in partnership with New Zealand Post, on a route being selected through an expressions of interest (EOI) process with airports across Aotearoa.

Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran says the purchase cements Air New Zealand’s commitment to flying lower-emissions aircraft in New Zealand. “This is a small but important step in a much larger journey for the airline. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but we are committed, and this purchase marks a new chapter for the airline. Decarbonizing aviation isn’t easy, and we have a lot of work to do. We need to accelerate the pace of change in the technology, infrastructure, operations and regulation.”

The Alia aircraft will add to Air New Zealand’s existing fleet. Through flying it, Air New Zealand hopes to advance its knowledge and the transformation needed in the aviation system in Aotearoa to fly larger, fleet replacing, next-generation aircraft from 2030.

“We are gratified by the airline’s confidence in our technology as a solution that will meet their operational needs and look forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand as we bring the Alia to market for 2026,” Beta CEO Kyle Clark says.