Air New Zealand has signed 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 in the development of future, sustainable aircraft.
Embraer also becomes a long-term partner in Air New Zealand’s Mission Next Gen Aircraft initiative, helping to accelerate the development and introduction of zero-emissions aircraft technology for New Zealand’s regional fleet.
The companies will collaborate on the requirements for next-generation sustainable aircraft design. Air New Zealand is a one-of-a-kind airline with complex mission and fleet requirements that serves a sizable domestic market, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions throughout 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 decarbonise 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-emission 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 to Embraer’s Energia project.”
