
Pictured: BETA Alia, picture credit BETA Technologies
The Norwegian airport operator plans electric-powered flights between Stavanger and Bergen in autumn 2025 and needs infrastructure to charge aircraft.
In April 2024, Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway started a partnership to establish Norway as an international test area for zero- and low-emission aviation.
Anders Kirsebom, acting CEO of Avinor, said: “Today, there are no chargers for aircraft at Avinor's airports. The use of batteries as an energy carrier in aircraft is still a new technology, but there are many electric aircraft under development.”
The test cargo flights will use ALIA aircraft from BETA Technologies and flown by Bristow Norway between Stavanger and Bergen.
A charger will be purchased for installation at Stavanger Airport while a mobile charging solution with a battery bank will be rented during test operations in Bergen for autumn and winter 2025/2026.
Avinor expects to award the contract in the first quarter of 2025 for delivery in Stavanger no later than 1 June and by 15 August in Bergen.
The airport operator says there are few aircraft fast chargers and Avinor will procure a charger with a CCS plug, meaning that regular car chargers can be used to charge aircraft.
Avinor says regular car chargers require adaptations to charge aircraft, which have a different design and aviation has strict requirements for distances between a moving aircraft and a charger.
The tender requires a continuous power output of at least 300kW delivered to one aircraft.
Avinor says only one manufacturer can offer a charger adapted to aircraft that meets this requirement.
Kirsebom said: “Avinor wants to involve the Norwegian supplier industry and get more charging players on board through the test arena project. The electrification of the car fleet in Norway has contributed to the design of many innovative solutions for charging various vehicles by Norwegian players.”