Excerpt from futuretransport-news.com
Loganair and BETA Technologies have commenced the UK’s first real-world electric flight demonstrations, flying the ALIA CTOL on Royal Mail routes across Scotland.
The programme aims to assess how electric aircraft could operate on essential Royal Mail flights to remote communities.
The first demonstration took place on 20 March on the Glasgow to Dundee route. Further flights are scheduled to connect Aberdeen, Inverness, Wick and Orkney. Letters and parcels were carried to replicate the daily operations that ensure delivery to the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
The ALIA CTOL is an all-electric aircraft designed for regional cargo and passenger flights. It can operate from existing runways, with a recharge time of 20–40 minutes using BETA’s fast-charging system. The aircraft has a maximum range of 336 nautical miles and a payload capacity of up to 560 kg, matching the requirements of Loganair’s regional network.