Air New Zealand, Embraer partner on sustainable aircraft

Air New Zealand has an agreement with Embraer to join its Energia Advisory Group – a group of airlines, lessors, manufacturers, and other aviation experts advising Embraer’s Energia project developing sustainable aircraft for the future.

Embraer also becomes a long-term partner in Air New Zealand’s Mission Next Gen Aircraft initiative, working alongside Air New Zealand to accelerate the development and introduction of zero emissions aircraft technology for regional fleet in New Zealand.

The companies will work together on the design requirements for next-generation sustainable aircraft. Air New Zealand is a unique airline with complex mission and fleet requirements with significant domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand.

Air New Zealand Chief Sustainability Officer Kiri Hannifin says the airline has bold sustainability goals that won’t be met by a business-as-usual approach. "Mission Next Gen Aircraft aims to accelerate the technology and infrastructure needed to decarbonize our domestic flights, by joining forces with the world’s leading aircraft developers, innovators and infrastructure providers.

“We want to be a leader in the roll out of zero emissions aircraft in New Zealand. Having Embraer as one of our long-term partners will grow our collective understanding of zero emissions aircraft technology as it develops and will give them the confidence they are developing a product that’s viable for us.”

“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 and we’re proud to be a part of this initiative” said Arjan Meijer, president and CEO, 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 also adding their expertise and requirements into Embraer’s Energia project.”

Embraer’s Energia project explores a range of sustainable concepts to carry up to 50 passengers. The project is considering a number of energy sources, propulsion architectures, and airframe architectures to reduce carbon emissions by 50% starting from 2030 – a key step in our goal to be net carbon neutral by 2050.

Air New Zealand’s story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat – a Short S30. Today, the airline has 104 operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s. It’s a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 7.3 years.

Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline’s efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges.