Within the framework of the Swedish Energy Agency's call for proposals "Fossil-free aviation 2045", Skellefteå Airport's application has been approved.
The application is about developing a test route between Skellefteå Airport and Northvolt Ett for electric and vertical take-off aircraft, so-called eVTOL.
Behind the application is a broad consortium with partners from both academia and the private and public sectors.
The project will investigate and plan for infrastructure, airspace issues, permits, market issues, and from a research perspective, examine the electrical environment that the increased use of electrified aircraft provides at the airport.
This creates the conditions for one of the very first test routes in the Nordic region, which will help shorten the time until commercial traffic with eVTOL in Västerbotten and Sweden.
- There are hundreds of industrial projects underway around the world that are developing eVTOL vehicles.
With low operating costs and limited need for infrastructure on the ground, this is an extremely interesting means of transport for future regional travel in sparsely populated areas.
Furthermore, we see this as a sustainable, convenient and time-saving transportation solution to and from the airport within just a few years.
This is the first necessary step to get commercial traffic started as quickly as possible, says Skellefteå Airport's CEO Robert Lindberg.
Through Skellefteå Airport's proactive work, including the installation of Sweden's most powerful electricity supply for electrified aviation, opportunities are created to quickly get vehicles into the air, both for testing and development and for commercial traffic.
In addition to Skellefteå Airport, the test route project also involves Skellefteå Kraft, Luleå University of Technology, Northvolt, Jonair and ACR.
- We have assembled a broad constellation that will be able to contribute with different knowledge and perspectives. When we are ready, the goal is for developers of eVTOL vehicles to be able to use the route.
Being able to test and develop in cold climates and darkness is a prerequisite for getting the vehicles certified.
This, together with the knowledge about electrification that exists in the region, creates unique conditions, says Robert Lindberg.
In Skellefteå municipality, a major social transformation is currently underway, where several large industrial establishments are contributing to the creation of the green society of the future.
Skellefteå Airport works on the green transition of the transport sector together with, among others, Skellefteå Kraft, Northvolt, EIT InnoEnergy, Skellefteå Science City and participates in the FAIR project and the Green Airport project.
A major focus is on the development of electric and hydrogen aviation and providing fossil-free aviation fuel.
For more information
Robert Lindberg Henrik Littorin
CEO Project Manager
Skellefteå Airport Electrified aviation in Skellefteå
+46 70 551 70 75 +46 734 33 19 98
robert.lindberg@sft.se henrik.littorin@hlinsight.se
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