Eviation Aircraft, a manufacturer of all-electric aircraft announced that Air New Zealand has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for up to 23 aircraft as part of its Mission NextGen Aircraft program. The airline is the first national flag carrier to sign a letter of intent to order as part of its ambitious initiative to lead the roll out of zero-emission airplanes.
The nine-seater Alice is the first flight-proven all-electric commuter aircraft and the company hopes it will usher in a new era of carbon-free, cost-effective and convenient aviation. Alice is powered by two
magni650 electric propulsion units developed by magniX, the global industry leader in flight-proven
electric propulsion systems. Built from a clean-sheet design, the aircraft costs significantly less to
operate per flight hour compared to light jets or high-end turboprops.
“Regional flights make up a sizeable proportion of Air New Zealand’s routes. The Alice offers an
effective way to decarbonize these journeys, revolutionizing air travel and supporting the goals of
the Mission NextGen Aircraft program,” said Gregory Davis, president and CEO of Eviation. “New
Zealand has earned a proud reputation for its progressive attitude and wide-ranging policies
towards the climate challenge. The Alice is a beautiful aircraft that will delight airline operators and
passengers. Seeing it soar through the skies of New Zealand is a magical prospect, and I pay
tribute to Air New Zealand’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.”
“This endorsement from a national flag carrier shows how the Alice has captured the imagination
of the marketplace,” said Eddie Jaisaree, vice president, Commercial Sales at Eviation. “New
Zealand has just experienced its warmest, wettest winter on record. As the impacts of climate
change become more apparent and efforts to regulate aviation’s carbon emissions intensify, we are
excited for how the Alice will help Air New Zealand to lead the airline industry into a sustainable
future.”
Tackling Climate Change with Innovation
Air New Zealand’s Mission NextGen Aircraft program was announced last month with the goal of accelerating the adoption of zero-emission aircraft. The airline is aiming to have its first zero
emissions flight from 2026.
“Mission NextGen Aircraft represents a significant commitment to the development of sustainable
aircraft and the supporting infrastructure needed to decarbonize our domestic flights,” said Greg
Foran, CEO of Air New Zealand. “Eviation’s all-electric Alice aircraft is a natural fit for the program
with its proven technology that is optimized for short-range flights.”