Air New Zealand and U.S.-based manufacturer BETA Technologies conducted their first flight of the BETA ALIA CX300 electric aircraft today from Tauranga Airport. The flight begins a four-month demonstrator program designed to assess the aircraft’s performance in New Zealand conditions. Following the initial flight, the aircraft is scheduled to move to Hamilton Airport for additional testing before continuing to Wellington in December.

The aircraft arrived in New Zealand last week on a four month lease for the technical demonstration project. Air New Zealand General Manager of Fleet, Networks and Strategy Baden Smith said in a company statement that the flight represents an opportunity to study new technology, as well as to begin familiarizing some of the company’s pilots and engineers with

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