The Finnish airport company Finavia and the Helsinki Electric Aircraft Association (HEAA) have signed a cooperation agreement with the objective of introducing a new generation of electric aircraft in Finland, reports finavia.fi/en.
“Finavia’s objective is to continue the reduction of emissions caused by airport operations, to which all available resources must be targeted,” said Senior Vice President Henri Hansson, who oversees infrastructure and sustainability at Finavia. “Electric aviation is one of those solutions. We want to invest in the introduction of new aircraft technology and expedite the electrification of domestic flights.”
The first electric passenger aircrafts are best suited for shorter flights. However, it is important to develop the operating range of such aircraft as well, especially commercial airline services. According to research conducted in cooperation between the University of Jyväskylä in Finland and Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, an electric aircraft would be the preferred option for travelling distances of more than 400 kilometres in Finland due to the aircraft’s speed. If the used electricity is produced with only wind or solar energy, for example, the craft would fly with zero emissions.
“With electric aviation, flying will become more and more ecological and electric aircraft will become an environmentally friendly method of transport,” pointed out HEAA Chairman, Janne Vasama. Adding, “Electric aviation is quiet, which also reduces noise nuisance.”
According to Vasama, the HEAA is an industry pioneer in both Finland and Europe. The first electric aircraft in Finland, a two-seat Pipistrel Alpha Electro (OH-U682) took off two years ago in Malmi (see video below).
Finavia has cooperated with the HEAA since the association was founded around two years ago and has supported the testing and development of electric aviation and the first electric aircraft in Finland. Along with the new agreement, Finavia becomes the primary sponsor.
Finavia and the HEAA also cooperate closely with the Nordic Network for Electric Aviation (NEA) and with the electric aviation project of the Kvarken Council. The shared objective is to decrease the environmental impacts of aviation and to improve flight connections in the area. Read more about the co-operation at NEA.
For visual information
https://theworldtravelblog.com/finland-wants-electric-aircraft-flying-by-2030/