Air Napier (NPR, Napier/Hastings) has signed a purchase agreement with Maeve Aerospace to acquire thirty-five Maeve 01 electric aircraft. Along with European start-up FlyWithLucy (Eindhoven), the New Zealand carrier will be the launch customer of the type.
When developed, the Maeve 01 aims to scoot along 264 knots per hour with a range of 460 kilometres. The aircraft will be capable of carrying 44 passengers and recharging in 36 minutes. Maeve is eyeing commercial service entry around the end of the decade.
"Right now in New Zealand, there are a lot of opportunities in aviation, because most regions have limited or no air connectivity at all. This is where Maeve potentially comes into play, as Maeve 01 seems to be the perfect combination of range and capacity," said Air Napier CEO Shah Aslam.
Air Napier, a subsidiary of SO Capital, is a passenger charter operator with a mixed fleet comprising a Falcon 2000EX/EASY/LX, Piper (twin turboprop) PA-31 Navajos, Piper (twin piston) PA-34 Senecas, and a Piper (single piston) Cherokee.
New Zealand's airlines are showing some interest in electric aircraft, with the country's relatively small population, short sectors, and eco-friendly attitude making it a happy hunting ground for electric aircraft start-ups. Sounds Air (S8, Picton) has signed a similar agreement with Heart Aerospace (Gothenburg City). That entity has also signed up Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland International) as a would-be customer as that carrier starts considering electric aircraft replacements for their DHC-8-300 fleet.
