– It has been long-awaited to get an aviation strategy in place. We have stated in the Hurdal platform that we will prioritize this work, says Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nygård. The last time a national aviation strategy was presented was in 2008. – Now we are presenting a comprehensive review of Norwegian aviation. It has been important for us to get an overview. The strategy provides a broad description of the status and challenges. Also contains goals and measures for sustainable aviation. The government has a clear aim to accelerate the investment in zero and low emission aviation such as hydrogen-powered and electric aircraft. It is just some of what the government wants in the new national aviation strategy. – Aviation is important for people in an elongated country like Norway, and it is important for business to be able to create opportunities throughout the country, says transport minister Jon-Ivar Nygård. They want to phase in commercial zero-emission aircraft as soon as the technology allows it. The government’s aim is to start phasing in both zero- and low-emission aircraft on the FOT routes at the latest in connection with the acquisitions with an expected start in 2028/2029. Nevertheless, possible measures to facilitate the use of such aircraft will be looked at already in the upcoming FOT procurement which will be announced this year, starting next year. – Already in the first FOT procurement, which will apply from 2024, we will look at requirements for low and zero emission technology. We will also consider a possible Transport Minister, Jon-Ivar Nygård, and the government will ensure framework conditions that contribute to safeguarding and developing Norwegian aviation. Photo: Kristina Kalinina / news pilot development contract to accelerate the phasing in of zero and low emission aircraft in Norway, says Nygård The background is to reduce CO2 emissions and that aviation should develop in line with the climate goals. Today, Norwegian aviation accounts for just over 2 percent of national greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the government wants Avinor to work to achieve fossil-free airport operation by 2030. Cheaper flights in the districts. The government says in its report to the Storting that it will work for lower ticket prices on the routes that have been bought by the state to secure the flight offer in the districts – the FOT routes. They already announced this in the Hurdal platform, but so far little has happened. According to the report to the Storting, the Ministry of Transport is now looking at several elements. Among other things, capacity, frequency, ticket prices and timetables. As changes of this type can have significant budgetary consequences, possible measures are thoroughly assessed, says the notification to the Storting. The contracts on the FOT routes expire on 31 March next year. Widerøe already in dialogue about the development of electric aircraft The discussion about emission-free aircraft has been going on for many years. In 2021, Rolls-Royce and Italian Tecnam presented plans for an all-electric 9-seater passenger plane to be used on the Norwegian short-haul network. Widerøe has previously stated that they have a goal that large parts of the aircraft fleet will be electric by 2030. In 2019, the company entered into an agreement with Rolls-Royce specifically on the development of emission-free aircraft. Facts about the electrification of aircraft An electrified aircraft is an aircraft in which one, several or all of the aircraft’s engines are electric. Electrified aircraft include both pure electric aircraft and various forms of hybrid aircraft (battery + petrol, hydrogen, propane and electricity). Electric engines have many advantages compared to traditional petrol/jet engines. They are cheaper to build, more energy efficient, cheaper to maintain, have cheaper fuel and make less noise. The biggest challenge when it comes to electric aircraft is weight. To take with you the same amount of energy as in 1 kg of jet fuel, you need around 40 kg of today’s batteries. The fact that electric motors are 2-3 times more efficient than petrol motors only compensates to some extent for this. Although battery technology is expected to improve in the coming years, the challenge of weight will still be significant. The weight of the batteries therefore limits both the range and the number of passengers electric and hybrid aircraft can carry. Pure electric operation is currently applicable for air taxis, school planes and small passenger planes with up to 19 seats. With hybrid technology, the manufacturers currently see the potential for up to 100+ seats, depending on how big a “range extender” you have. For long distance, it is currently out of the question to include both electric and hybrid aircraft. Work is underway to allow several of the onboard systems to run on brought electricity, a concept known as more electric. Avinor and the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority aim for all Norwegian domestic passenger traffic to be carried out by electric or hybrid aircraft by 2040. – A 9-seater aircraft is an important milestone on the road to emission-free short-haul flights, because for the first time it provides the opportunity to test commercial operation of zero emission aircraft, managing director Stein Nilsen told news earlier. At the same time that zero-emission aircraft will be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Widerøe believes that it will also be cheaper. Other areas in the aviation strategy Working conditions It is not just the emissions that must be improved. The government also has a plan to better secure working conditions in Norwegian aviation. Among other things, the government will work to ensure that the use of flying personnel on flight routes in Norway is subject to Norwegian rules as far as it is compatible with the EEA agreement. They also want to use the flight route acquisitions (FOT) actively to clarify the current laws and regulations relating to pay and working conditions and to contribute to ensuring that the rules are observed and enforced. Economic sustainability The government will continue the so-called Avinor model with self-financing and co-financing. They also want to secure Avinor framework conditions that enable the company to maintain and further develop a future-oriented decentralized airport network. Drones The government wants to ensure a sustainable and socially beneficial development and growth of the drone industry in Norway. The government will facilitate this through, among other things, new systems for traffic management of drones. One envisions many areas of application for drones in the future
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The government with a new strategy for aviation – wants electric planes in place quickly – news Nordland
