• Embraer becomes a long-term partner in Air New Zealand’s ‘Mission Next Gen Aircraft’ programme
• Air New Zealand joins Embraer’s Energia Advisory Group

São José dos Campos, Brazil, February 7th, 2023 – 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 developing sustainable aircraft for the future.

Embraer also becomes a long term partner in Air New Zealand’s Mission Next Gen Aircraft initiative, working alongside Air New Zealand to accelerate the development and introduction of zero emissions aircraft technology for regional fleet in New Zealand.

The companies will work together on the design requirements for next-generation sustainable aircraft. Air New Zealand is a unique airline with complex mission and fleet requirements with significant domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around 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 emissions 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 into Embraer’s Energia project.”

Energia

Embraer’s Energia project explores a range of sustainable concepts to carry up to 50 passengers. The project is considering a number of energy sources, propulsion architectures and airframe architectures to reduce carbon emissions by 50% starting from 2030 – a key step in our goal to be net carbon neutral by 2050.

‘Energia – The shape of things to come’, presenting the latest update on Energia was broadcast 5th December 2022 and is available on Embraer’s YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@Embraer. The event was broadcast live from Amsterdam and Sao Jose dos Campos. It includes presentations from Embraer’s Chief Engineer, and Commercial Aviation CEO, and features a 360° tour the concepts - Energia H2 Fuel Cell and Energia Hybrid Electric.

Energia aircraft specifications: https://embraer.imagerelay.com/fl/87639df9221046fc8429a95d7ec3a28b

Energia aircraft images: https://embraer.imagerelay.com/ml/e1261e8d8b7346288d35273152c2ea5d

For further information about Embraer’s Sustainability in Action initiative:  https://embraercommercialaviationsustainability.com/

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand’s story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has 104 operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It’s a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 7.3 years. 

Air New Zealand’s global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. Pre-Covid, the airline flew more than 17 million passengers every year, with 3,400 flights per week. Air New Zealand was named the World's Safest Airline in 2022 by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline’s laser-focus on safety. Last year, Air New Zealand won Best Corporate Reputation in New Zealand – 8th year in a row.  

Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the US, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations.

Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline’s efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.

About Embraer

A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales.

Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year.

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.