Finavia to finance testing, dev of first electric aircraft

Finavia, the company that operates country’s airports, and Helsinki Electric Aircraft Association have signed a cooperation agreement with the view to obtain information about electric aviation that can be used for the development and design of airports, said an official press release.

The first electric aircraft in Finland arrived at Helsinki-Malmi airport on 17th June. After security and other preparations have been carried out, the aircraft is expected to make its first flight in July.

“Data on electric aviation will help Finavia to prepare for future development, for instance with charging infrastructure for batteries. Besides developing renewable fuel, electric aircrafts can also be a major step in the fight against climate change”, said Kimmo Mäki, CEO of Finavia.

Cooperation with the Electric Aircraft Association (Sähkölentokoneyhdistys) is part of Finavia’s corporate responsibility. It is closely related to the company’s climate programme that aims to quickly reduce emissions created by operating an airport.

“Helsinki Airport was able to reduce its emissions to zero last year. The rest of Finavia’s airports will reach carbon neutrality in 2020. In practice, carbon neutrality means that emissions won’t grow even though passenger numbers will,” Mäki said.

Even though Finavia does not own aircrafts, the company views the electric aircraft venture favourably, while supporting the development of the entire air traffic field.

In climate change prevention and throughout Finavia’s entire business, it is important to do both smaller and greater things as well as to influence the millions of details affecting air traffic safety and smoothness. These good details are building blocks for a chain of responsibility.