Sparks fly! Airline launches Britain’s first all-electric flight… from Glasgow to Dundee
It looks more like something out of a futuristic science fiction movie.
But aviation history was made in Scotland yesterday when Britain’s first all-electric plane took to the skies.
This ecological flight, which took 20 minutes to travel from Glasgow to Dundee (shortening a journey that would normally take up to two hours by car), has been hailed as ‘a landmark day for European aviation’.
Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has piloted an all-electric aircraft capable of reaching speeds of up to 276 kilometers per hour within its operational network, becoming the first commercial airline to do so.
The test flight, authorized by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, is part of a two-week program in which the aircraft will be used to demonstrate its ability to deliver ‘essential goods such as freight, mail and medical supplies’ across the airline network.
Over the coming days, the battery-powered ALIA CTOL, which has a range of approximately 387 miles and a payload capacity of 560kg, will also land at Aberdeen, Wick, Inverness and Kirkwall in Orkney and take part in various trips to test how it can be used.
The trial is a partnership with US aviation firm BETA Technologies, with the Scottish airline hailing the first flight as ‘an important step towards decarbonising short-haul aviation’ and ‘will position Scotland at the forefront of next-generation aircraft technology’.
Loganair made aviation history by making the first electric flight in Scotland
Loganair CEO Luke Farajallah said: ‘We’re not talking about concepts, prototypes or distant targets; this is a real, tangible program to fly over our network.
It will provide invaluable data on how an electric aircraft could perform in a real commercial environment.
‘Electric planes have the potential to transform short-haul flights by preserving vital air links while significantly reducing carbon emissions.’
The aircraft is designed for regional cargo and passenger operations and can fly from existing runways by recharging in about an hour using BETA’s fast charging system.
First Minister John Swinney said: ‘This next-generation technology ensures Scotland is well placed to play a leading role in reducing aviation-related carbon emissions, while supporting regional connectivity for communities in the Highlands and Islands.’
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The airline said that ‘given the diverse islands, it is the perfect geography for the implementation of this new technology’.
Sophie O’Sullivan, director of future safety and innovation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: ‘Electric planes offer cleaner, quieter flying with improved connectivity and greater reliability.
‘As electric aviation technology advances, trials such as this contribute to our work to establish the regulatory framework for advanced air mobility, helping us ensure the safe development of this new technology.’ Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said the Government was supporting UK business with £43 million ‘to power green aviation’.
He added: ‘Zero-emission aircraft, hydrogen fuels and advanced air mobility will unlock economic growth, reduce climate impacts from flying and help us deliver our airport expansion plans to boost connectivity and growth while creating high-skilled jobs across the UK.’
