Eviation Aircraft announced that Air New Zealand has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for up to 23 aircraft as part of its Mission NextGen Aircraft program. The airline is the first national flag carrier to sign a letter of intent to order as part of its ambitious initiative to lead the roll out of zero-emission airplanes. The nine-seater Alice is the first flight-proven all-electric commuter aircraft and promises to usher in a new era of carbon-free, cost-effective and convenient aviation.

Alice is powered by two magni650 electric propulsion units developed by magniX, the global industry leader in flight-proven electric propulsion systems. Built from a clean-sheet design, the aircraft costs significantly less to operate per flight hour compared to light jets or high-end turboprops. Tackling Climate Change with Innovation: Air New Zealand's Mission NextGen Aircraft program was announced last month with the goal of accelerating the adoption of zero-emission aircraft. The airline is aiming to have its first zero emissions flight from 2026.