Air New Zealand has announced Mission Next Generation Aircraft – an accelerator programme to progress two ambitious goals: Fly its first commercial demonstrator flight from 2026 Begin replacing its Q300 domestic fleet with a more sustainable aircraft – likely green hydrogen or battery hybrid systems – from 2030 These goals follow the airline's&nbs...
Airbus Helicopters customer HeliOtago has recently achieved 2,000 flight hours with its H145 in the first two years of its operation. The H145 entered into service in the South Island of New Zealand in 2019 and in its support of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) missions, the aircraft has achieved a dispatch rate of 100%, with an availability rate of 98%. Graeme Gale, Chief Pil...
In the same month as it celebrated its 40 year anniversary, ATR has reached another impressive milestone in its history, delivering its 1,600th aircraft to national flag carrier, Air New Zealand. This delivery highlights the enduring strength of the ATR programme, providing essential connectivity to communities all over the world. It also proves the value of the ATR 72-600 at serving domestic rout...
Pipistrel aircraft promoter from New Zealand and an owner of Pipistrel’s Alpha Electro, Mr. Gary Freedman, became the first pilot to fly over the New Zealand’s Cook Strait in an electric plane. Freedman’s 40-minute solo flight came 101 years after the first person flew a conventional aircraft over the body of water that separates the South Pacific nation’s two main islands....
As of August 4th 2021, the RED A03 engine has gained acceptance for installation in New Zealand registered aircraft. Approval was granted to two variations of the engine. The New Zealand Authority accepted both the RED A03-003 and the RED A03-102. Enrico Evers, Head of Sales RED aircraft GmBH commented: "The acceptance of the powerful and highly efficient engine is another accolade fo...
New Zealand VIP and charter operator Advanced Flight, launch customer for the new Airbus ACH145 with five rotor-blades, has taken delivery of its helicopter. The aircraft is the latest version of the best-selling H145 light twin-engine helicopter and provides a 150kg increase in useful load while delivering new levels of comfort and operational simplicity. Its reduced rotor diameter allows oper...
Wisk, the Urban Air Mobility company behind the first all-electric, self-flying air taxi, is progressing with its Transport Trial, which will advance autonomous passenger transport under the New Zealand Government's broader Airspace Integration Trial Programme. Wisk is working towards rolling out the implementation phase later this year. In February 2020, Wisk announced that it h...
Alsim announced its first sale in New Zealand. Ardmore Flying School, based in Auckland, has acquired an AL42 simulator, the exact replica of the Diamond DA42, built using genuine aircraft parts and equipped with the latest real-world Garmin G1000 avionics suite. It also comes with latest generation visual system, GFC 700 autopilot and PBN/LPV capabilities. Ardmore Flying School and Ian Ca...
Air New Zealand will not resume operation of its suspended Auckland-Buenos Aires and Los Angeles-London routes due to the deep impact of COVID-19 on forward travel demand. The airline has also taken the decision to postpone the commencement of its non-stop Auckland-New York service from 29 October 2020 until late 2021 at the earliest. Along with 95 percent of its international...
The Economy Skynest is the result of three years of Air New Zealand research and development, with the input of more than 200 customers at its Hangar 22 innovation centre in Auckland. The airline has filed patent and trademark applications for the Economy Skynest which provides six full length lie-flat sleep pods. Air New Zealand Chief Marketing and Cu...
The New Zealand Government and Wisk, an Urban Air Mobility company, have announced a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a passenger transport trial in Canterbury, New Zealand. Wisk's self-flying, all-electric air taxi, called Cora, is the aircraft selected for the trials. In October 2019, the New Zealand Government announced that it was establishing an industry-w...
In a ceremony at the GCH Aviation Group headquarters, Airbus has tdelivered two H145 helicopters to the New Zealand Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Airbus Australia Pacific Managing Director Andrew Mathewson said these were the first two H145 helicopters in emergency medical services (EMS) configuration in the New Zealand market. “I’m proud that Airbus’ heli...