Finland’s flag carrier Finnair will join SAS and Icelandair in working towards electric-powered ... [+]
The Nordic region–or Norway at least–is already known as a world leader in electric cars. Now the region is gearing itself up for a similar journey with electric aircraft. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and Finnair have joined other partners including Icelandair in the Nordic Network for Electric Aviation (NEA).
Along with the three major carriers, the network includes Air Greenland, the Norwegian-owned Swedish domestic carrier Braathens Regional Airlines and electric airline startup El Fly. The airport operators in Norway and Sweden, the Nordic Initiative for Sustainable Aviation, Heart Aerospace and Swedish research institute Rise complete the network.
The network is hosted and coordinated by Nordic Innovation, an organization promoting cross-border trade and and innovation under the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Why electric aviation?
Considering Sweden is the home of the travel trends “plane shame” and “train bragging,” it might seem odd that the Nordic region is investing so much time and effort in planes over trains. Yet for much of the Nordic region–Norway and Iceland in particular–the terrain limits the possibilities for building high-speed rail infrastructure. For many small communities, air travel is their only viable option.
Norway’s domestic carrier Widerøe has made no secret of its desire to replace its ageing fleet of turboprop planes with electric planes for its short regional services, as soon as the technology becomes available. Earlier this year they teamed up with engine provider Rolls-Royce to research zero-emissions aviation and develop a concept electric aircraft. SAS and Airbus signed a similar deal on hybrid and electric aircraft research a few months before.
While research and development efforts are moving forward at pace, there are certainly hurdles to clear. Earlier this year, a two-seater Alpha Electro G2 owned by Norway’s airport operator Avinor lost power on a demonstration flight.
A Nordic-specific network
Rise project leader Maria Fiskerud believes working together is the only way for the region’s aviation industry to achieve their common goals. “We believe that the fastest, most affordable and sustainable transportation for regional travel is electric aviation. To achieve that, we need to gather knowledge and people from many different sectors,” she said.
The network’s aims include a standardisation of infrastructure for the region and the development of business models for regional connectivity within and between countries. Nordic weather conditions will be one of the main considerations.
Although the network has a Nordic-first focus, international collaborations will also be developed to promote this Nordic model of sustainable regional connectivity in other parts of the world.
