Airlines' electric dreams

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

More Infrastructure

Opening day congestion for untolled Penlink highway – NZTA
Infrastructure

Opening day congestion for untolled Penlink highway – NZTA

The road should be redesigned if the Government chooses not to toll, agency said.

Oliver Lewis 26 Jul 2024
Downtown car park building legal challenge 'resolved'
Infrastructure

Downtown car park building legal challenge 'resolved'

Society challenging the sale to Precinct raised 0.4% of its High Court funding target.

Oliver Lewis 25 Jul 2024
Govt to fight receivers over $30m Tui oil field tax credit
Infrastructure

Govt to fight receivers over $30m Tui oil field tax credit

Crown bid to have liquidators cover decommissioning costs is subject to approval.

Victoria Young 24 Jul 2024
Govt agrees 'in principle' to $10b worth of Northland roading PPPs
Infrastructure

Govt agrees 'in principle' to $10b worth of Northland roading PPPs

The Northland expressway project could be one of the first PPPs out of the gate.

Dileepa Fonseka 23 Jul 2024