- Loganair ordered five Alia CX300 electric aircraft from Beta Technologies.
- The airline expects to become Europe’s first commercial electric operator.
- The aircraft will carry up to five passengers.
- Loganair announced frequency cuts to Inverness-Stornoway and Inverness-Kirkwall-Sumburgh.
- The airline called for a new financing model for the routes.
Stotland’s Loganair has signed a term sheet to order five Alia CX300 electric aircraft with options for five more from Beta Technologies. The airline expects to become Europe’s first commercial airline operating electric aircraft. The Alia CX300 will carry up to five passengers and replace the carrier’s BN-2s.
Chief executive Luke Farajallah stated the demonstration programme earlier this year proved electric aviation is no longer a future concept, stating it is a viable commercial opportunity. The aircraft demonstrated the potential to reduce operating costs by up to 80pc while maintaining reliable regional connectivity. Loganair has announced frequency cuts to its Inverness-Stornoway and Inverness-Kirkwall-Sumburgh routes.
The airline has called on the Scottish and governments to urgently come up with a new financing model for the routes, which are currently not subsidised. The airline receives local government assistance for services from Kirkwall to the outlying Orkney Islands, alongside contracts in other parts of Scotland. Loganair suggested implementing a funding model resembling Norway.
Luke Farajallah, CEO of Loganair, shared, “Our demonstration programme earlier this year proved that electric aviation is no longer a future concept, it is a viable commercial opportunity.”
