Airlines' electric dreams

A mock-up of one of Sounds Air's future electric aircraft, made by Heart Aerospace. (Image: Heart Aerospace)

Fri, 05 Nov 2021

Commercial electric flights could be just five years away as domestic airlines ramp up efforts to decarbonise their fleets.Earlier this week, Christchurch startup ElectricAir flew the first electric aircraft flight across the Cook Strait using a two-seater, battery-powered Pipistrel.The historic flight was accompanied by a Cessna Caravan operated by Sounds Air, a domestic airline aiming to procure three fully electric aircraft from 2026.Board chair Rhyan Wardman said Sounds Air had been confirmed as the first Australasian customer for Heart Aer...

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