First flight of all-electric ALIA aircraft undertaken in Norway

Bristow Norway AS, a subsidiary of Bristow Group Inc, recently flew BETA Technologies’ all-electric ALIA CX300 aircraft at Stavanger Airport, marking the first operations of Norway’s ‘Test Arena’ for zero- and low-emission aviation’. Being conducted in cooperation with Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway (CAA Norway), the flights mark a step toward integrating and scaling Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in Norway and the surrounding regions.

The Test Arena will consist of a series of evaluation flights over the next few months, to test likely customer routes at Avinor-owned airports throughout Norway. Early routes will see ALIA fly between Stavanger and Bergen airports, with potential for the programme to expand to additional routes across Norway later this year.

The latest flight was conducted by Bristow pilot, Jeremy Degagne, and Beta pilot, Nate Dubie. A BETA-trained Bristow crew will pilot and maintain BETA’s aircraft throughout the six-month regulatory ‘sandbox evaluation project’ helping pave the way for future delivery and integration of this technology into the region.

More sustainable aviation industry
Jon-Ivar Nygård, Norway’s Minister of Transport, said: “As a nation wholly dependent on aviation — today as well as in the future — transitioning to a more sustainable aviation industry is a major priority for my government. This first flight represents a significant step on a long and complex journey. As the Test Arena demonstrates, cooperation between authorities, airports, manufacturers, operators — and not least, political support — is essential. The systemic approach the Test Arena facilitates is unique, and I am proud that Norway is at the forefront.”

Shawn Hall, BETA’s chief revenue officer, added: “To be delivering ALIA to our partners at Bristow and kicking off operational testing here in Norway is a big moment for BETA. Bristow has been with us from the start and shares our drive for progress; and Norway, with its spirit of innovation and modernisation, is a perfect place to move this technology forward. Handing off the aircraft to a customer is, in part, a huge milestone, but it is also an important launchpad for all that comes next for the industry.”

A team of BETA pilots and maintainers delivered this aircraft, N214BT, to the Test Arena following a weeks-long journey across the European Union. The flights, which originated in Shannon, Ireland, took BETA’s aircraft over the Irish Sea, through the UK, over the English Channel, and to the Paris Air Show — where ALIA flew every day — followed by Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Norway.