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Loganair will become Europe\u2019s first airline operating an electric fleet following the purchase of five aircraft from BETA Technologies.<\/p>\n
Britain\u2019s biggest regional airline placed the order for the ALIA CX300 conventional takeoff and landing aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow with options for five more.<\/p>\n
The agreement came as the airline has \u201ctemporarily reduced\u201d flights from Inverness to the Western Isles as well as making cuts to the Inverness to Orkney and Shetland flight because of financial concerns.<\/p>\n
It described the move as a \u201clast resort\u201d but stressed that the Inverness-Stornoway and Inverness-Kirkwall-Sumburgh routes had been losing money.<\/p>\n
Transport Scotland has urged Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (Hial) and Loganair to \u201cwork collaboratively\u201d on a solution.<\/p>\n
The airline is seeking approximately \u00a31.3 million to sustain the Inverness air links with Lewis, Orkney and Shetland at their current frequency.<\/p>\n
It said its new electric aircraft fleet will suit its operations linking the mainland, island and remote communities which depend on short routes that road and rail cannot serve. <\/p>\n
Most of Loganair\u2019s regional sectors are under 100 miles. The CX300 aircraft operate from existing runways and recharge in 20 to 40 minutes using BETA\u2019s fast-charging systems.<\/p>\n
The agreement builds on the\u00a0UK\u2019s first electric flight demonstration programme\u00a0completed in March, when BETA\u2019s CTOL flew 23 flights in 10 days across Loganair\u2019s network, connecting Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Wick and Kirkwall. <\/p>\n
The aircraft covered more than 1,000 nautical miles in real-world operational conditions, flying routes to some of Scotland\u2019s most remote communities and validating performance, ground handling, charging and integration into existing airport and airspace systems, and demonstrating a model for short regional routes across the UK.<\/p>\n
Expected to enter service in 2029, the aircraft will support passenger and cargo operations across Loganair\u2019s network.<\/p>\n
Luke Farajallah, chief executive of Loganair said:\u00a0\u201cThis is a truly historic moment for Loganair and for European aviation. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur demonstration programme earlier this year proved that electric aviation is no longer a future concept, it is a viable commercial opportunity. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe aircraft demonstrated the potential to reduce operating costs by up to 80% while maintaining the reliable regional connectivity our customers and communities depend on.<\/p>\n
\u201cSigning this agreement is the natural next step in that journey. It reflects our confidence in the technology, our partnership with BETA, and our ambition to remain at the forefront of sustainable regional aviation. We look forward to working together as we prepare to bring these aircraft into commercial service.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kyle Clark, founder and chief executive of BETA Technologies said:\u00a0\u201cLoganair has spent six decades connecting communities that rely on air travel, so their standard for new technology is appropriately high. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe met that standard the only way it can be met, by flying more than a thousand nautical miles across their network, on their routes, and in their conditions. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis agreement is what happens when demonstrated performance meets an operator serious about the future of regional aviation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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