The future of flight is closer than you think with James Owen from AirNZ

Join us for the next UCE x CAANZ Connect networking event, featuring guest speaker James Owen.

About James

James Owen is an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 pilot with experience across flight operations, digital transformation, operational management, and emerging aviation technology. He served as the Standards and Training Project Pilot for Air New Zealand's NextGen Aircraft technology demonstrator programme, flying and supporting the BETA ALIA CX300 all-electric aircraft during its recent deployment in New Zealand. James remains actively engaged in next-generation aircraft technology, operational integration, and initiatives to improve operational efficiency and fuel utilisation.

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand is investing in next-generation aviation technology as part of its broader work on emissions reduction and aviation decarbonisation. Through its NextGen Aircraft technology demonstrator programme, the airline has been trialling emerging aircraft technology — including hosting the BETA Technologies ALIA CX300 all-electric aircraft in New Zealand — as it explores what the future of flight looks like for the airline and the wider industry.

What James Will Talk About

Titled "The future of flight is closer than you think – inside Air New Zealand's next generation of aviation," James's session will cover:

• Aviation decarbonisation challenges and opportunities

• Air New Zealand's direction and stance on emissions reduction

• The BETA Technologies CX300 all-electric aircraft and its deployment in NZ

• An open discussion on anything else the audience wants to explore