WIDEROE EXPLORES THE POTENTIAL FOR A SCANDINAVIAN
URBAN AIR MOBILITY NETWORK
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NOVEMBER 10, 2021
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Norway-based airline Wideroe is to
work with Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions to evaluate the potential for launching eVTOL
aircraft operations in Scandinavia. Under a memorandum of understanding signed
on November 10, the partners will work through a new Air Mobility Business
Incubator on plans to launch services to a region with dispersed population
centers and challenging geography.
The
joint project will be conducted by the airline’s Wideroe Zero unit, which is
charged with accelerating the implementation of new aviation technology and
service options. The agreement does not specifically mention plans for the carrier
to acquire and operate the four-passenger, all-electric eVTOL that Eve is
working to bring to market in 2026.
“Although
initially designed for urban air mobility, we expect these highly flexible
vehicles to be interesting in a variety of rural areas, from cargo to passenger
transportation,” said Wideroe Zero CEO Andreas Kollbye Aks. “Our partnership
with Eve is part of our plan to accelerate the development of sustainable
aviation in Norway. We are looking to the expanded partnership, unlocking new opportunities
to improve regional connectivity.”
In
March, Wideroe announced plans to add Tecnam’s new all-electric P-Volt
fixed-wing aircraft to its fleet with scheduled routes starting in 2026.
Rolls-Royce Electrical is developing a propulsion system for the nine-passenger
aircraft, which is based on Tecnam’s existing P2012 Traveller twin-piston
model.
The
regional carrier has been an Embraer customer since 2017 when it ordered up to
15 of the Brazilian airframer’s E190-E2 airliner. It started operating the
100-seat twinjet on flights out of Bergen on Norway’s west coast in April 2018.
Earlier
this week, Embraer unveiled concepts for a family of nine- to 50-seat aircraft
with a mix of hybrid, hydrogen, dual-fuel gas turbine, and electric propulsion
systems. The Energia aircraft, which may enter service between 2030 and 2040,
would offer ranges of up to around 575 miles.
The
Norwegian government says that it intends to require all domestic airline
services to use electric aircraft by 2040.
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