The first electric aviation test project in Norway has been completed and feedback from controllers indicates electric aircraft can be integrated into existing airspace with limited additional workload, said Bristow, one of the project leaders.
According to a February 2 2026 Bristow press release: “After roughly six months of operational testing, Bristow pilot Jeremy Degagne landed the BETA Technologies ALIA aircraft in Stavanger, bringing the project to a close and delivering valuable real-world experience in electric aircraft operations, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks.”
The BETA Technologies ALIA aircraft used in the trials was a conventional take off and landing aircraft.
“We have established a first version of a Regulatory Sandbox and are able to evaluate how the different safety regulations work in the context of this new technological concept,” said Jan Petter Steinland, Director Strategic Analysis & Transformation at the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority. “We are also maturing our safety methodology to be more fit for purpose for an innovation setting and can broaden our competency on these technologies in the process. Another significant result of the programme is how we are developing insights and knowledge in collaboration – building on a much-appreciated level of trust between professional partners”.
“As the national airport operator, Avinor has a clear responsibility to prepare our infrastructure for the next generation of aviation,” said Karianne Helland Strand, Executive Vice President for Sustainability and Infrastructure, Avinor. “Through this project, we have gained concrete experience that will guide how we develop airports and charging infrastructure and provide operators with a stronger basis for assessing the future commercial viability of routes based on new technologies. We will now build on these lessons in the next phase of our test and development projects,”
Over a six-month period, the aircraft performed regular test flights on a cargo route between Stavanger and Bergen. Airports, air traffic control, and regulators gained hands-on experience with charging infrastructure, winter operations, new procedures, and future training needs.
The project has also highlighted key strategic needs for the next phase of electric aviation, including the development of robust charging solutions, winter-adapted infrastructure, and dedicated training for fire and rescue services related to batteries and alternative fuels.
The electric aviation test project was carried out in cooperation between Bristow, BETA Technologies, Avinor, and CAA Norway. It is the first project conducted under Norway’s international test arena, which was established by Avinor and CAA Norway in April 2024 to accelerate the introduction of new technologies in Norwegian aviation.
For more information
https://www.bristowgroup.com/news-media/press-releases/detail/593/norway-completes-its-first-electric-aviation-test-project
(Image: Bristow)