Aircraft library
The aircraft that could fly in New Zealand this decade, with the facts that matter for planning.
Eight programmes: the one already flown here, the leaders that would validate into New Zealand through the NAA Network, the autonomous programme with the longest NZ history, and the Australian hydrogen-electric entrant. Seat counts are manufacturer-stated; everything else links to a filing, regulator or trade source. Updated 6 Oct 2026.
BETA Technologies (US)
Electric CTOL (conventional take-off), cargo and passenger variants
- Status
- Preparing to enter FAA type-inspection authorisation; type certificate expected late 2026
- New Zealand and region
- Flew 100 flights, 13,000 km and 12 aerodromes in NZ for Air New Zealand (Oct 2025 to Feb 2026); 65 kW chargers at Hamilton, Wellington and Blenheim; NZ Post cargo targeted 2027 to 2028
- Performance and economics signals
- 480 km range demonstrated in NZ testing; 40 to 60 minutes to full charge; NZ$20 of electricity per Wellington to Blenheim sector against NZ$110 of fuel in a Cessna Caravan
- Money
- Backlog 1,001 aircraft (US$3.9bn), about half CTOL; 138 charging sites in the US
Source: Australian Aviation, Feb 2026; BETA Q2 2026 results
Joby Aviation (US)
Piloted eVTOL, four passengers (manufacturer-stated)
- Status
- Fifth and final FAA certification stage; conforming aircraft in TIA testing since Mar 2026; eIPP flights in Texas Sep 2026
- New Zealand and region
- No NZ activity. Dubai launch expected before year-end 2026; UK with Virgin Atlantic; CASA application lodged for Australia
- Performance and economics signals
- Five aircraft flying and twelve in production (Aug 2026)
- Money
- US$2.3bn cash; more than US$3bn raised; 2026 revenue guidance US$115m to 125m, mostly Blade
Source: Joby Q2 2026 results, 5 Aug 2026
Archer Aviation (US)
Piloted eVTOL, four passengers (manufacturer-stated)
- Status
- FAA Phase 3 complete (Apr 2026), in Phase 4; UAE restricted type-certificate programme since May 2026
- New Zealand and region
- No NZ activity. Acquiring Wisk (Brisbane 2032 plans), Insitu and SkyGrid from Boeing; close expected end-2026
- Performance and economics signals
- Target of 650 aircraft a year by 2030 (secondary source citing the Q1 2026 letter)
- Money
- US$1.56bn cash; Q2 2026 net loss US$263m
Source: Archer Q2 2026 results, 10 Aug 2026
Wisk Aero (Boeing, to Archer) (US)
Autonomous eVTOL, four passengers (manufacturer-stated)
- Status
- First flight Dec 2025; second aircraft flying May 2026; programme to be absorbed into Archer
- New Zealand and region
- The longest-standing NZ programme: Cora trials in Canterbury since 2017, Airspace Integration Trials partner, uncrewed BVLOS trial in Class C airspace at Tāwhaki (Nov to Dec 2023). Future of the NZ team not stated in the Archer deal
- Performance and economics signals
- Published fare target of US$3 per passenger-mile (2022)
- Money
- Boeing-funded; Boeing takes about 20% of Archer on close
Source: AVweb, 5 May 2026; The Air Current, 10 Aug 2026
Eve Air Mobility (Embraer) (Brazil)
Piloted eVTOL, four passengers (manufacturer-stated)
- Status
- Transition flights by end-2026; entry into service targeted 2028
- New Zealand and region
- No NZ activity
- Performance and economics signals
- Vector urban air-traffic-management software sold alongside the aircraft
- Money
- Backlog about 2,700 aircraft (US$13.5bn, non-binding); cash US$403m
Source: Eve Q2 2026 earnings highlights
Vertical Aerospace (UK)
Piloted eVTOL, four passengers (manufacturer-stated)
- Status
- Certification slipped from 2028 to 2029
- New Zealand and region
- No NZ activity
- Performance and economics signals
- About 1,500 non-binding pre-orders
- Money
- About £99m cash, runway to Q3 2027; about US$100m new funding Aug 2026
Source: Vertical Aerospace 6-K, 13 Aug 2026
EHang (China)
Autonomous eVTOL, two passengers (manufacturer-stated)
- Status
- Only aircraft with paid-passenger operator certificates (Guangzhou and Hefei, Mar 2025); no approval for public ticket sales as of Q2 2026; guidance withdrawn after a Jun 2026 accident
- New Zealand and region
- No NZ activity; Thailand certification targeted end-2026
- Performance and economics signals
- About 100,000 flight missions logged; 35 EH216-S delivered in Q2 2026
- Money
- List price about RMB2.39m (US$330k); Q2 2026 revenue RMB77.9m, down 31% year on year
Source: EHang Q2 2026 results, 25 Aug 2026
AMSL Aero (Australia)
Piloted eVTOL, hydrogen-electric, passenger and aeromedical
- Status
- Pursuing CASA certification; zero-emission flight testing planned within 12 months of Jul 2025
- New Zealand and region
- No NZ activity; the closest OEM geographically and a candidate for NAA Network validation into NZ
- Performance and economics signals
- Deposits for 26 aircraft from Australian civil customers for passenger and aeromedical services
- Money
- Not disclosed
Source: Airport Technology, 30 Jul 2025