Dutch study highlights feasibility of all-electric flights by 2026

Dutch researchers have concluded that the operation of small sub-regional electric aircraft on short routes in the Netherlands should be possible by 2026. Airports consultancy NACO – part of Royal HaskoningDHV – and the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) were commissioned by the Dutch infrastructure ministry to draw up a roadmap for the introduction of electric flight in the Netherlands and its overseas territories. Basing their study on flight and passenger data from the so-called “ABC islands” – the Dutch Caribbean territories of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao – the researchers were able to model the potential introduction and cost of electrification. Their calculations suggest that operations using a three-strong fleet of nine-seat electric aircraft would be feasible on the islands from 2026. Three 19-seaters would be added from 2030, followed by three more of each type by 2035. Initially, each island’s airport would have a single charging station, but by 2035 that would rise to four per airport, the study’s scenario suggests, at a total cost per facility of E4.7m. By 2030, the six aircraft fleet would be able to handle 50% of inter-island movements, using 2019 data as a baseline, with that figure growing in line with the fleet. “Ultimately, in 2035, the aviation sector will have learned from operating electric aircraft for almost 10 years. Therefore in 2035, it is expected that scaling up will be possible. The aircraft pool will be doubled compared to 2030. This number of electric aircraft will be able to cover all air movements between the islands [based on] 2019,” says the report.<br/>