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 the
Brazilian company’s Energia project developing sustainable
aircraft for the future.
Embraer has also become a partner in Air New
Zealand’s Mission Next Gen Aircraft initiative, working alongside
the national carrier to accelerate the development and
introduction of zero emissions aircraft technology for its
regional fleet.
Air New
Zealand has a significant domestic business, connecting customers
and cargo to 20 different regions around the country.
“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,” said Kiri Hannifin, Air New Zealand Chief Sustainability Officer. “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.”
Embraer’s Energia project explores a range of
sustainable concepts for aircraft that can carry up to 50 passengers.
The project is
look at a number of energy sources, propulsion
and airframe architectures to reduce carbon emissions by 50%
starting from 2030 – a key step in the company’s goal to be net carbon
neutral by 2050.
“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.”
