Air New Zealand aiming to fly zero emissions aircraft in five years' time

Air New Zealand wants to get zero emissions aircraft in the skies in the next five years.

The airline has made a call to aviation manufacturers to help as it looks to become a net zero carbon emissions company by 2050.

It wants aircraft technology ideas on how to accelerate and deploy propulsion innovations such as hybrid, hydrogen or electric technologies for its new aircraft.

Air New Zealand head of fleet strategy Baden Smith said it was taking steps to ramp up genuine climate action.

"While our industry faces a steep challenge to decarbonise, New Zealand is uniquely placed to lead the world in zero emissions aircraft and low carbon alternatives on our domestic air transport network," Smith said.

"We believe New Zealand could be a world leader in zero or low emissions aircraft, whether that's battery electric or green hydrogen powered. We're seeking the best ideas and technology from innovators around the globe who might be prepared to work with us."

Smith said Aotearoa was ideally suited to adopt zero emissions aircraft due to its short-range routes.

The airline released a product requirements document, which was a guide for business and innovators to help build, launch or market the provision of zero emissions aircraft in New Zealand.

"This product requirements document allows us to share our vision for zero emissions aircraft deployment and allows current and future aircraft developers to recognise both the opportunity here in New Zealand and Air New Zealand's ambition to make this a reality as soon as possible."

Earlier this year, Air New Zealand announced a joint initiative with European aerospace company Airbus to research the future of hydrogen powered aircraft in Aotearoa.

Airbus itself announced a line-up of concept hydrogen aircraft, called ZEROe, last year.

Airbus said it wanted to develop the world's first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035.