Norway is soaring into the future of sustainable travel. On Thursday, an Alia electric plane built by the U.S. manufacturer Beta successfully flew 160 km between the Norwegian airports of Stavanger and Bergen, simulating a cargo mission in real conditions for the first time. The 55-minute flight was operated by Bristow’s Norwegian branch under the oversight of state-owned airport operator Avinor.
"This is the first time an electric plane has taken the trade route between Stavanger and Bergen," said Karianne Helland Strand, one of Avinor’s directors. "Everything went very well."
The battery-powered aircraft can cover up to 400 km on a single charge, more than enough for a round trip on this route. Uniquely, the crew relied on visual flight rules instead of relying solely on instruments, mirroring standard cargo operations. Pilot Jeremy Degagne likened range planning to what drivers do in electric cars—but with no room for guesswork: "We plan to fly the aircraft within the limitations of the aircraft."
This test is part of a broader evaluation running until January 2026 to see how electric flights can integrate with existing air traffic and airport infrastructure. Norwegian regulatory authorities are closely involved, aiming to launch commercial electric services by 2028–2030 when the technology matures.
Norway is already a world leader in electric cars and boats, and now it wants to carve out the same reputation in aviation. With flights responsible for nearly 3% of global CO2 emissions, developing low- or zero-emission aircraft is seen as a key step in the race to decarbonize travel.
Earlier trials have included a 2019 emergency landing by Avinor’s then-CEO Dag Falk-Petersen, who was unhurt when an electric plane lost power. Today, those early lessons are fueling new confidence. If all goes to plan, greener skies could become the norm across European short-haul routes within a decade.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
