The first commercial electric flight might not be until the mid-2020’s
Aircraft charging station has been installed at Groningen Airport Eelde, making it the first airport in the Netherlands to have this facility, as reported by the Groninger Internet Courant.
Sustainable growth is an important aspect within aviation, with more and more consumers put off by aircraft emissions. Bowy Odink, Commercial Manager at Groningen Airport Eelde, said: “by installing this charging station, we are taking another step towards making the airport more sustainable. The demand for an electric charging point for aircraft is not that high yet, Nevertheless, we want to offer this facility, so that we have the option in any case. Without good charging points, electric flying will become less attractive ”.
Energy from its own solar park
The electricity used by the charging station will come directly from the solar park at Groningen Airport Eelde. The solar park was built by GroenLeven and will be festively opened on Monday 10 February by Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen (VVD), who is the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management.
Electric planes
Whilst Airport Eelde may have some trouble finding electric planes to charge now, in the next few years their prescience may well be rewarded. German company Scylax is currently testing a short-haul electric plane called the E10, which is being designed to service the East Frisian Islands in particular and is hoped to be fully air-worthy by 2023. Israel’s Eviation is currently working on the Alice, which it hopes will become a regional airline staple, and US-based Zunum Aero hopes to have its planes flying by 2024, but has hit some financial troubles.
