Air NZ in Pioneering Partnership

Air New Zealand has signed an agreement with airplane maker Boeing and engine maker Rolls-Royce to collaborate on projects to make commercial aviation more environmentally sustainable. Stage one of the plan will see the first trial flight of a Boeing 747 partly run on biofuel by early 2009. “Air New Zealand is keen to encourage research into alternative fuels and wants to work  hand-in-hand with industry partners and the New Zealand government on promoting this type of activity,” said Air New Zealand Chief Executive Rob Fyfe. The NZ government, which has just announced an ambitious environmental plan of its own, has welcomed news of the Air New Zealand partnership. “Achieving Air New Zealand’s plan to become the most environmentally responsible airline will put New Zealand further along its path to becoming the first truly sustainable country in the world,” said Climate Change and Energy Minister David Parker.