• 26 Oct 2018 05:25 PM
• 0

Air New Zealand Partners with Zephyr Airworks

Air New Zealand and Zephyr Airworks announced on Oct. 16 that they had signed an agreement to work collaboratively on bringing the world's first autonomous electric air taxi service to market in New Zealand. Zephyr Airworks is the operating company in New Zealand for Kitty Hawk’s Cora eVTOL.

The agreement between the national carrier and the operator of Cora, the world's first autonomous electric air taxi, signals the intention to form a long-term relationship “to make autonomous, electric air travel a reality for all New Zealanders.” Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon said the airline is committed to embracing new technologies that make life easier, as well as understanding the potential of cleaner energy solutions for travel.

The first Cora prototypes began flying in Christchurch and the surrounding area in October 2017.

Sources:

• "Air New Zealand partners with Zephyr Airworks to bring air taxis to New Zealanders," Air New Zealand press release, Oct. 16, 2018.
• "Partnering with Air New Zealand," Cora blog post, Oct. 15, 2018