Also: SkyFly’s Axe Prototype, USAF CCA, AV Expands Switchblade, DropShip Cargo Drone 

Air New Zealand has taken its first big step toward electric aviation, flying the US-built BETA ALIA CX300 out of Tauranga Airport as part of what the airline calls a “technical demonstrator” program. 

The aircraft, on a four-month lease from BETA Technologies, will tour several New Zealand cities as the carrier evaluates its performance and gets its crews situated with the new systems. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, the White House is turning its attention to the airspace above with plans for a $500 million drone program. This is aimed at helping state and local governments counter potential drone threats and keep pace with ever-advancing aviation technology. The effort centers on safeguarding airspace over the 104 soccer matches scheduled across the United States next summer. Textron has confirmed that it will be retiring its eAviation business unit… but only its name. Programs within the sector, including Pipistrel, the Nexus eVTOL, and various military technologies, seemingly remain alive and well under the company’s other five divisions. The restructuring takes effect January 4, 2026. Much of eAviation’s portfolio, including Pipistrel’s light electric aircraft, will be absorbed by Textron Aviation. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne-NextGen!!!

Airborne-NextGen 10.21.25 is chock full of info in this Weekly News Episode, Tuesday, October 21st, 2025... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Hosts Holland Lee, Sophie Hurlock, Brianne Cross, Christopher Odom, and Laura Hutson, and is supported by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, and Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, this episode covers:

• Air New Zealand Goes Green With First Electric Flight  
• Trump Debuts Expensive Drone Program Amid World Cup Security Prep 
• Textron Restructures, Chops eAviation Unit  
• SkyFly’s Axe Prototype Gets the Green-Light for Piloted Tests 
• Netherlands Joins USAF CCA Program  
• AV Expands Switchblade Loitering Munitions Variants  
• Pyka Receives AFWERX Award For DropShip Cargo Drone  

Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again next week for the next edition of "Airborne-NextGen" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, next week!

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