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Euronews
12-07-2025
- Business
- Euronews
The future of flight? First electric aeroplane lands in Denmark
A small aeroplane cruising toward Copenhagen may have looked ordinary to most Danes on the ground – but unlike every other flight in Danish history, this aircraft was all electric. The US aerospace company Beta Technologies' electric plane, ALIA CTOL, completed a 200 kilometre journey between Sønderborg and Copenhagen airports this week, marking Denmark's first test flight with an aircraft that burns no fuel and can be charged in less than an hour. The company says the fixed-wing electric aeroplane provides a safe, quiet, and low-cost alternative to traditional aircraft and helicopters. With its wingspan of 15 metres, ALIA CTOL is the size of a Sprinter van. It can fly at a maximum speed of 281 kilometres per hour, according to Beta Technologies. The aeroplane also emits up to 84 per cent less carbon dioxide than a traditional helicopter of a similar size. 'Many say that green aviation is something for the future,' Jákup Sverri Kass, director of Sønderborg Airport, said at the take-off event in the city 325 kilometres west of Copenhagen. 'But we are standing here today and seeing that the future has begun. This is not just a test. This is the start of something new,' he added. The American aeroplane kicked off a European grand tour in May from Shannon Airport in Ireland. It has since dropped by multiple airports on the continent to demonstrate the aircraft's all-electric operation and charging infrastructure. In August, the plane will begin operating cargo flights between Bergen and Stavanger in Norway as part of tests on zero-emission aviation led by the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority. Charging is the main challenge ALIA CTOL is designed for regional flight and can be configured for both passenger and cargo travel with up to five passenger seats. Beta Technologies says the longest distance the aircraft has flown on a single charge is 622 kilometres. The plane can be charged using a standard fast charger for electric cars in just 20 to 40 minutes, the company says. The short-range aeroplane has been carrying its own charger and plugging it into a power unit at airports, which takes longer, due to the lack of permanent charging facilities. It has been making pit stops to charge at airports across Europe. 'There's no existing infrastructure on the ground in Europe like there is in the United States today,' Shawn Hall, the company's chief revenue officer, said from the tarmac at Copenhagen Airport after the plane landed. In Denmark, Copenhagen Airport CEO Christian Poulsen told Euronews Next the airport will need to adapt its infrastructure to be able to charge aircraft and accommodate a mix of traditional and electric aeroplanes 'when these aircraft come to town'. The cost of batteries and other lightweight materials will be another factor for electric aeroplane manufacturers to contend with, according to Jørgen Mads Clausen, chair emeritus of the Danish battery system giant Danfoss. He predicts 'battery technology' for larger electric planes will be available within the next decade. 'But just like with electric cars, it's important to be ready when things take off. Because when the technology matures, things will move fast,' Clausen said at the take-off event. Sustainable aviation in Europe The Danish government has committed to launching its first fully sustainable domestic flight route by 2025, with a broader target that all domestic routes will be fossil-free by 2030. This year, it has introduced a flat fee of 13 Danish kroner (€1.74) per passenger to finance the transition toward sustainable domestic flight. Several Nordic countries have committed to climate goals for their aviation industries. In Norway, all domestic flights aim to be electric or hybrid by 2040, while in Sweden, all domestic flights should be fossil-free by 2030 and international flights are expected to follow by 2045. A Swedish-American company, Heart Aerospace, is developing a 30-passenger plane, the ES-30, designed to have a fully battery-powered range of 200 kilometres. Other countries in Europe, such as the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom, have also tested similar-sized e-planes. But currently electric planes can, at best, fly regionally within Europe because of their battery range, which means other technologies to reduce flight emissions could also help countries meet their sustainability targets. Lasse Stenhøj Ingvardsen, a team manager of Renewable Energy Systems at the Danish Technological Institute, told Euronews Next that different technologies can be explored for sustainable aviation. Many European countries are investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a type of fuel made from renewable resources, as well as hydrogen fuel, which doesn't emit carbon dioxide. 'The SAF fuel will be one tool. The electric will be another tool. The hybrid solution will be a third tool. Maybe we will see hydrogen planes,' said Ingvardsen, who was not involved with the recent test flight. 'We don't need to stick to only one'. For more on this story, watch the video in the media player above.
India Today
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Air travel will get super cheap. A 35-minute flight just proved that
When the supersonic Concorde in 1976 made its first commercial flight, breaking the sound barrier, it marked a watershed moment in aviation history. Earlier this month, civil aviation took another giant leap, perhaps the most significant since. As Beta Technologies' Alia CX300 electric aircraft touched down at New York's JFK Airport with four passengers, it marked a game-changing moment for electric flights, which is the future. The future isn't coming, it just 130-km flight from the Long Island's East Hampton to New York, completed in just 35 minutes and costing passengers only $8 (less than Rs 700), not only ushered in clean and comfortable flying but also marked the beginning of a new era of affordable air India, urban-centric electric air taxis, unlike the Alia CX300, which requires runways, are prepping for take-off, with trials set to begin by FLIGHT IS USHERING IN A COST REVOLUTION The maiden passenger flight of the Alia CX300 aircraft from East Hampton to JFK Airport showcased unprecedented cost road, the 130-km journey typically takes over 2 hours by car, during peak traffic, costing around $30-$40 in fuel and tolls for a standard vehicle. Train travel, via the Long Island Rail Road, takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes from East Hampton to Penn Station, with fares ranging from $20-$30 contrast, the Alia CX300 covered the distance in 35 minutes at a cruising speed of approximately 222 kmph (120 knots), for just $8 (Rs 688) in electricity was significantly cheaper than a modern fossil-fuel-powered aircraft, which could cost $150-$200 in fuel for a similar short-haul flight, as they are propelled by expensive jet fuel. The electric aircraft's low operational costs make it a game-changer for short-distance options for the 130-km East Hampton–New York City route reveal how electric aviation outpaces road, rail, and contemporary air travel in both cost and of TransportTravel TimeCost (One-Way)Fuel TypeBy Car2 hours$30–$40Petrol/Diesel/ElectricityBy Train (LIRR)2 hours 45 min$20–$30Electricity/DieselConventional Aircraft30minutes$150–$200Jet FuelAlia CX300 (Electric Aircraft)35 minutes$8 (Rs 688)ElectricityElectric flights are ideal for short-haul routes, as they offer low costs and efficiency where conventional flights are often seen as impractical due to high fuel and operational expenses. With the improvement of battery technology and range, the potential for electric aviation is FIRST ELECTRIC FLIGHT LANDED IN NEW YORK'S JFKOn June 3, Beta Technologies' Alia CX300, piloted by CEO Kyle Clark, made history by landing at JFK Airport after a 35-minute flight. The flight carried four passengers, including Republic Airways President Matt Koscal and Blade Air Mobility CEO Rob Wiesenthal, reported the US-based FLYING aircraft are easier on the earth too, producing little to no carbon emissions compared to conventional jets."This is a 100% electric airplane that just flew from East Hampton to JFK with passengers on it, which was a first for the New York Port Authority and the New York area," Clark told Fox quiet operation, unlike in contemporary passenger jets, allowed passengers to converse easily inside the cabin. And the regional turboprops are extravagant in decibels. The Alia electric aircraft in its maiden passenger flight flew 130 km in 35 minutes to reach its destination, New York's JKF International. (Image: Beta Technologies) ABOUT THE WORLD'S FIRST ELECTRIC AIRCRAFTThe Alia CX300, which marked the maiden flight, takes-off and lands conventionally, and is designed for short-haul passenger, cargo, and medical a range of 460 km (250 nautical miles) on a full charge, it cruises at a maximum speed of 222 to contemporary fossil-fuel-powered aircraft used on small routes, which have a similar range and burn $100-$150 in fuel per hour, the CX300's $8 per flight energy cost is aircraft works like a super-quiet electric car with wings. Its five electric motors power propellers (like turboprops, but smaller), fixed wings, and landing gears let it operate like a regular near-silent operation enhances passenger comfort, and eliminates the need for headsets. The zero-emission profile aligns with environmental goals electric aircraft (in trail or development stages) for similar short-haul sectors, though varying in vertical take-off capability, propulsion-type, range, or speed, offer comparable cost efficiency and environmental manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota have also made limited strides toward electric aviation, which are now focusing more on developing components and FUTURE OF ELECTRIC AVIATIONBeta Technologies, whose aircraft achieved the feat, has plans to achieve full FAA certification for the Alia CX300 by also building a network of 46 charging stations across the US, with 50 more in the pipeline, to support its aircraft, reported FLYING Magazine in Beta has secured orders from Air New Zealand, UPS, and Bristow for both its regular runway-base and the 'electric vertical take-off and landing' (eVTOLs) models. The Alia CX300 belongs to the former from Beta, several electric aircraft manufacturers like Joby Aviation in the US and Elfly Group in Norway are advancing innovative projects, with significant investments and infrastructure development. This is poised to scale up the viability of electric aviation's future hinges on scaling infrastructure and improving battery range, but regulatory support and international consensus remain a tricky proposition for now. Anyway, domestically, urban air mobility is set to transform short-haul travel, within a decade at most, was underlined by Rick Cotton, the executive director of New York's Port Authority. A BETA electric aircraft being recharged through its portable 'Charge Cube', with a highpower connector plug. (Image: Beta Technologies) INDIA TO LAUNCH INDIGENOUS AIR TAXI BY 2026India is advancing toward urban air mobility, with the government planning trials of an indigenous air taxi service by Centre is set to introduce an indigenously developed air taxi service, with trial runs expected to begin by 2026, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu revealed at an event in said, "eVTOLs are set to transform urban mobility in India, and we are working tirelessly to make this a reality by next year. With the DGCA already issuing guidelines on vertiports, airworthiness, and air taxi licensing, India is moving fast towards a future of advanced air mobility". A joint InterGlobe-Archer venture plans to launch 200 electric air taxis in India by 2026, starting operations in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. (Image: Reuters) Meanwhile, US-based Archer Aviation, backed by Stellantis and Boeing, is also working with India's aviation watchdog DGCA to secure regulatory approvals ahead of its own trial flights next year, reported news agency eVTOLs/air taxis are meant for short urban hops with vertical take-off and landing, runway-based electric aircraft like the Alia CX300 have the liberty to cater to slightly longer regional years ago, the wings of the Concorde were, unfortunately, clipped too soon, but not before proving that a supersonic passenger flight was possible. It ignited human imagination and laid the foundation for future innovations. Now, with the electric flight taking-off, there's hope it becomes aviation's own Apollo moment, and its wings soar.- EndsMust Watch
India.com
24-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Cheapest Flight! First electric passenger plane completes 130 km journey, carried… passengers, ticket cost Rs…
Cheapest Flight! First electric passenger plane completes 130 km journey, carried… passengers, ticket cost Rs… First Electric Passenger Plane: In a major milestone in the aviation industry, first all-electric passenger plane successfully completed a flight in the United States. Beta Technologies' Alia CX300 has emerged as the first electric aircraft to complete the flight with passengers. According to a report by Fox News, the passenger plane travelled from East Hampton to John F Kennedy Airport with four passengers. all-electric Alia CX300 took off the flight without burning any fuel and covered a distance of around 70 nautical miles (130 kilometres) in just over 30 minutes. Surprisingly, the cost of the flight was USD8 (Rs 694). Cheapest Flight Just to show a drastic contrast between prices, a helicopter ride can cost over USD60 or Rs 13,000 in fuel to complete the same distance Alia CX300 did. According to the founder and CEO of Beta Technologies Kyle Clark said that there is no fuel cost involved in the flight, however, other charges such as pilot's salary and other aeroplane expenses. 'This is a 100% electric aeroplane that just flew from East Hampton to JFK with passengers on it, which was a first for the New York Port Authority and the New York area. We covered 70 odd nautical miles in 35 minutes.' 'Charging this thing up and flying out here cost us about $8 in fuel. Of course, you have to pay for the pilot and the aeroplane, but, fundamentally, it's way less expensive,' he added. Bye-Bye Noisy Engines And Propellers During the flight, passengers were able to talk to each other as there was no noise from engines and propellers. This can make electric air travel popular among the flyers, the company said. Beta Technologies Beta Technologies was established in 2017 and is office is located in Vermont. The company recently raised USD 318 million in funding for production and commercialisation of the electric plane. It is noteworthy that, the CX300 is on its way to receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification by the end this year. The CX300 electric aircraft can fly up to 463 km on a single charge, making it perfect for short flights between cities, eliminating the traffic snarls. This development is crucial as several transportation companies are looking for electric aircraft which is capable of doing round trips between cities, specially that can take off and land vertically. The main aim of developing this aircraft is to eliminate long traffic lines and to reduce emissions, saving both time of the passengers while saving reducing carbon footprints.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Electric airplane makes first landing at NYC's JFK Airport
STORY: :: June 3, 2025 :: New York :: This is the first time a passenger-carrying electric airplane has landed at a New York airport :: Kyle Clark, Founder and CEO, Beta Technologies "So this is a 100% electric airplane that just flew from East Hampton to JFK with passengers on it, which was a first for the New York Port Authority, for the New York area, and we covered 70 odd nautical miles in 35 minutes." :: Beta Technologies' flight showcases the quiet, low-cost potential of electric air travel "The most transformative thing is that you drastically reduce the cost of flying. Charging this thing up and flying out here cost us about $8 in fuel, right? Of course, you have to pay for the pilot, gotta pay for airplane, but fundamentally, it's way less expensive. It's quieter, so the communities are happier. It's a simpler aircraft, so you're quiet, you're accessible, and people love flying it. If you asked the passengers how they liked it, we could talk to each other the whole time. There's no propeller in front of you, there's no jet engine. It's just a quiet whooshing across the plane." The flight to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport flew 45 minutes with a pilot and four people, they said in a statement. Transportation companies, including airlines, are looking to develop services using electric battery-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically to ferry travelers for short city trips, allowing them to beat traffic. In October, the Federal Aviation Administration finalized comprehensive training and pilot certification rules for flying air taxis, calling it "the final piece in the puzzle for safely introducing these aircraft in the near term." In the same month, Beta raised $318 million in equity capital to fund production, certification, and commercialization of electric aircraft, bringing its total raised value to more than $1 billion. The Vermont-based company was founded in 2017. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
