Finavia Finnish Airport Operator joined a Nordic initiative to develop and enhance electric aviation, known as The Network for Electric Aviation. This initiative enlists help in introducing electric aviation in Nordic countries, and potentially the world.

“Electric-powered aircraft will likely be a vital part of tackling the environmental challenges of the aviation industry. As an airport operator we want to find out what kind of development electric flying will require from our airports,” said Henri Hansson, technical director, Finavia.

Finavia supplied funding for an electric aircraft for two years, which successfully completed a test flight at Malmi Airport (HEM) in summer 2018.

“I believe that in Finland, the first electric passenger aircraft will fly on a domestic route by the end of 2020s. If a clean method such as wind or solar power is used to produce the necessary electricity, the electric aircraft of the future could fly completely emission-free. Electric aircraft will be suited especially for short routes,” says Hansson.

The NEA members will meet this week in Helsinki, hosted by Finavia and Finnair, to discuss and workshop electric aviation further, including topics on standardizing electric air infrastructure and developing aircraft technology for Nordic weather conditions.

“NEA is a Nordic network that works with both infrastructure, industry issues and new business models. We aim at highlighting the necessary aspects needed to provide credible roadmap towards Nordic electric aviation,” said Maria Fiskerud, project manager, NEA.

NEA is compiled of Nordic airport operators, Nordic airlines and specialized electric aviation start-ups, all funded by Nordic Innovation, an organization under the Nordic Council of Ministers.