Alia CX300 Completes Demonstrations With Air New Zealand Beta Technologies Alia CX300 has completed its demonstrations with Air New Zealand. Air New Zealand announced that it was testing and using an Alia CX300 electric aircraft for the last 4 months evaluating its performance in real world conditions. The aircraft was handled by a combination of Beta Technology pilots as well as pilots from Air New Zealand who all took turns at helming the aircraft under different scenarios. Four pilots from Air New Zealand and eight from Beta were used.
The Alia CX300 which was branded in Air New Zealand colours and registered N401NZ flew to 12 different airports between the North and South islands of New Zealand. The testing and airport visits covered some 13,000 km or approximately 7,000 nautical miles over the course of 100 flights. Air New Zealand is preparing to roll out its Mission Next Gen Aircraft agenda. This project is to help the airline decarbonize on its domestic networks with the introduction of low and zero-emission aircraft into their operations. The CX300 is one of the aircraft types the airline has been targeting as part of the future strategy.
“This program was about learning by doing,” said Baden Smith, Air New Zealand's general manager of strategy, networks, and fleet. “Flying the aircraft in real conditions, across real routes, with our people and partners involved has given us a much deeper understanding of what next-generation aircraft could mean for New Zealand aviation in the future.
The Alia CX300 aircraft was put through its paces under a variety of scenarios. During the four-month testing/demonstration period, the Alia aircraft was said to have carried an estimated 20 tonnes (44,000 pounds) of simulated cargo. On the ground, more than 700 people across New Zealand took the opportunity to see the aircraft up close. For more information: Beta Technologies 1150 Airport Drive, South Burlington, VT www.beta.team ***
