Air New Zealand has teamed up with Zephyr Airworks to explore a new direction in aerospace: electric air taxis.
Zephyr Airworks is a startup that helped develop the Cora flying car in collaboration with its sister company, Kitty Hawk. Building on that work, Air New Zealand believes electric air taxis could offer residents and visitors a convenient alternative to surface travel, avoiding congestion and other road delays.
The proposed air taxis would adopt key features proven by Cora, including autonomous operation and vertical take-off and landing capabilities. Powered by electricity, these vehicles would produce fewer local emissions than conventional ground taxis, supporting cleaner urban mobility.
Discussions are still in the early stages, so no firm timelines have been announced. Both companies view the partnership as the start of a long-term effort to transform how people move around cities and regions.