BETA CX300 Commences Testing With Air New Zealand The BETA Technologies CX300 is now being tested with a commercial airline. One example has been sent to Air New Zealand for trials and testing with the airline to be used around different airports in the country. Keep in mind that this airline is genuinely interested in this aircraft as it has committed to an order of up to 23 units of the fixed-wing model, CX300.
The CX300 is BETA Technologies first craft that will be certified by the regulatory authorities in 2026 as this is a conventional take off and landing variant and therefore much easier to certify. Additionally, the company is also developing the ALIA 250 which is the eVTOL version of the CX300.
The current tests with Air New Zealand will be done under the Star Alliance operator’s Next Generation Aircraft program which is the alliance group that Air New Zealand belongs to. While the CX300 is based currently based at the Hamilton Airport on the country's North island, it will be put through its paces during a series of flights that will encompass a myriad of conditions and at differing altitudes. In December, the aircraft is expected to be moved to Wellington where it will carry out 45 nautical mile flights back and forth between Blenheim and Wellington.
After the agreement made in December of 2024, Air New Zealand plans to use the aircraft in Commercial cargo services with the aircraft in 2026. Bare in mind, the aircraft still has to be certificated which has been pegged also for 2026. Air New Zealand is not the only customer trialing-out the CX300. Helicopter specialist Bristow also has been doing work with the CX300 preparing for their work in Norway. For more information: Beta Technologies 1150 Airport Drive, South Burlington, VT www.beta.team ***
