Five Norwegian Sites Selected to Host Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Demonstrations in 2027
Key Highlights
- ➤Five Norwegian sites selected for hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrations in 2027
- ➤First demonstration flight planned for the third quarter of 2027
- ➤EL2 technology demonstrator takes off and lands in approximately 50 meters
- ➤Locations span novel landing sites, major airports, and short-runway airports
- ➤Testing will inform future infrastructure, operations, and regulatory requirements
Expert Statements
Karianne Helland Strand, Executive Vice President Sustainability and Infrastructure at Avinor
“What matters is not the individual location itself, but that we are able to test the technology under different conditions and in different parts of the aviation system. This will give us insight into what is required in terms of infrastructure, airspace, procedures and regulations when new types of aircraft are ready to enter service in Norway.”
Dave Stepanek, Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer at Bristow
“These locations will allow us to demonstrate the capabilities and operational flexibility of Electra's ultra-short takeoff and landing aircraft across a range of operating environments while helping us better understand what will be required to safely integrate these technologies into future operations”
Dave Stepanek, Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer at Bristow
“With the locations now selected, we can begin detailed planning for next year's flight demonstrations.”
Diana Siegel, Vice President of Commercial Programs at Electra
“Electra is showing how Ultra Short aircraft can expand regional travel, connecting cities and major airport hubs, with communities and destinations without traditional runways.”
Diana Siegel, Vice President of Commercial Programs at Electra
“This series of demonstrations lays the groundwork for a Direct Aviation ecosystem, bringing together regulations, policy, infrastructure, and aircraft operations to make more direct travel a practical option for more people.”
Jan Petter Steinland, Director of Innovation, Research and Sustainability at CAA Norway
“When we test new aircraft technologies in such a range of different scenarios, we will be able to assess whether the existing regulatory framework is fit for purpose. It is also valuable for us to build knowledge about how a new type of aircraft with specific characteristics can be safely integrated with other air traffic.”
Five Norwegian Sites Selected to Host Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Demonstrations in 2027 PR Newswire
* Locations represent three distinct operating environments: short-runway airports, larger aviation hubs, and novel landing sites. * First demonstration flight planned for the third quarter of 2027. * Results will help inform future infrastructure, operational, and regulatory requirements for hybrid-electric aviation. OSLO, Norway, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristow Group Inc., together with Electra, Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway (CAA Norway), will conduct demonstration flights with Electra's hybrid-electric EL2 technology demonstrator at five locations across Norway. Capable of taking off and landing in approximately 50 meters, the aircraft combines electric propulsion with a turbogenerator powered by sustainable aviation fuel. The project aims to generate operational, regulatory, and market knowledge to support the introduction of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft.
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