More firms join as new NZ airline innovator partners

Last year, Air New Zealand announced its four world-leading innovator partners —Eviation, Beta, VoltAero, and Cranfield Aerospace—that would work on its first zero-emissions demonstrator flight mission, cargo or passenger, for 2026.

These partners will be working alongside Air New Zealand over the coming years to focus on developing the technology and associated infrastructure—a combination of electric, green hydrogen, and hybrid—required to make flying these aircraft in New Zealand a reality.

Recently, Air New Zealand revealed that more partners had joined the program. Universal Hydrogen, Embraer and Heart Aerospace joined Airbus and ATR as long-term partners. Air New Zealand is working to replace its Q300 domestic fleet with a more sustainable option from 2030. These partners will work alongside Air New Zealand to accelerate the development and introduction of zero-emissions aircraft technology for the regional fleet in New Zealand.

Air New Zealand chief sustainability officer Kiri Hannifin stated that working with the world’s leading innovators is critical to addressing the climate crisis. “Through our partnerships with Airbus and ATR, we’ve been able to deepen our understanding of the impact green hydrogen and battery hybrid aircraft may have on our network, operations and infrastructure, as well as the opportunities and challenges of flying low and zero-emissions aircraft in New Zealand. Adding Universal Hydrogen, Embraer, and Heart Aerospace will broaden our knowledge of the technologies being developed for potential future aircraft.”

Hannifin further explained that it is not about selecting a new aircraft but rather about growing their collective understanding to advance a new era of travel. The partners were chosen because they are taking action now to progress in decarbonizing the aviation industry. Air New Zealand’s long-term partners are developing green hydrogen and battery-hybrid aircraft with between 30 and 200 seats.

Air New Zealand has also teamed up with Victoria University of Wellington’s Robinson Research Institute to help the airline evaluate and validate aircraft propulsion technology as concepts develop and mature. The research institution is a world leader in developing power electronics and superconducting machines and is currently working on their application to the aviation industry.

“Air New Zealand will work with Paihau-Robinson Research Institute to ensure new aircraft technology can be integrated into New Zealand’s future air transport system,” said Hannifin.

“Paihau—Robinson Research Institute is perfectly placed to support Air New Zealand on its mission to decarbonize flight, and we’re excited to continue working together through this long-term partnership. Our team is world-leading in superconducting technologies, and we are at the bleeding edge of understanding what it takes to make large electric aircraft a sustainable reality, so we are able to provide that expert advice that will help Air New Zealand make the right technical decisions along its path to zero emissions. Robinson Research Institute has a long-standing tradition of partnering with industries to solve real-world problems. We work closely with Wellington UniVentures at Victoria University of Wellington to realize these partnerships. Of course, being proudly New Zealand-based, it’s particularly rewarding for us to support our country’s flag carrier on what is ultimately a goal of huge national significance,” said Professor Rod Badcock, deputy director at Paihau-Robinson Research Institute.

Innovator partners believe SAF is essential

While zero-emissions aircraft technology will help decarbonize the airline’s domestic network over the period to 2050, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is critical in the near term, particularly for the long-haul fleet. SAF is a “drop in” fuel that can power the airline’s current aircraft when combined with jet fuel. It can reduce emissions for long-haul travel and domestic flights while the airline operates conventional aircraft. The inputs and processes used to make SAF result in lower lifecycle emissions than fossil jets, with the opportunity to generate significant CO2 savings.

Airbus head of zero emission ecosystem Karine Guenan shared that Air New Zealand and Airbus share common goals on the journey towards decarbonizing the aviation sector. “Under our existing agreement, we have already determined that New Zealand offers an ideal test environment to develop the ecosystems necessary to support hydrogen-powered aircraft operations. The next phase will go into more detail on potential aircraft design and performance that would meet Air New Zealand’s requirements, building upon the long-standing partnership we have together.”

ATR, for its part, shares in Air New Zealand’s ambition to accelerate the transition towards net-zero carbon emissions. “Having worked together since 2018 to explore new propulsion technologies and their impact on operations and infrastructure, we are taking this partnership to the next level. With Mission NextGen, we will be supporting Air New Zealand in every step of this challenging adventure in investigating disruptive innovations to turn our commitments into tangible reality”, said Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, ATR CEO.

Disruptive tech to small aircraft

“As the global leader in regional aircraft, Embraer is ideally positioned to bring disruptive technologies to smaller aircraft first. Air New Zealand, operator of a large, complex, and diverse regional network, is the perfect collaborator. We’re proud to be a part of this initiative,” said Arjan Meijer, president and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation.

“Smaller, regional aircraft are going to be the first platforms on which new fuel and propulsion systems can be introduced effectively. Embraer looks forward to contributing to Air New Zealand’s initiative and adding their expertise and requirements to Embraer’s Energia project.”

“Air New Zealand is truly leading the way with its efforts to reduce emissions from air travel, and we are impressed by the diligence with which they approach this challenge. We could not be prouder to have been selected as a long-term strategic partner on their journey towards net zero. At Heart Aerospace, we say the real innovation is getting it done, and together we will,” said Anders Forslund, co-founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace.

“We are pleased that Air New Zealand, one of the largest turboprop fleet operators in the world, has endorsed our hydrogen retrofit solution and infrastructure-light modular fuel delivery system. Air New Zealand is a leader and trendsetter in adopting true-zero-emissions technology for aviation, and this strategic agreement cements that. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration that will help launch a new golden age of aviation,” said Paul Eremenko, co-founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen. (Story and images courtesy of Air New Zealand)