Bristow Group Inc., Electra, Avinor, and the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority have announced the launch and contract signing of a second international test project for zero- and low-emission aviation. The project builds on Norway’s established international test arena and aims to generate operational, regulatory, and market knowledge supporting the introduction of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft.
The Challenge with Regional Mobility
In countries like Norway, geography can make regional travel time-consuming and inefficient. Electra’s breakthrough design is built to overcome these challenges, creating new opportunities for sustainable aviation that connect remote communities with regional centers. Electra’s hybrid-electric airplane operates from ultra-short access points — the size of a football pitch — and dramatically reduces travel times by flying directly across terrain and waterways that make surface transportation frustrating and slow.
From Prototype to System-Level Learning
Under the agreement, Electra and Bristow will conduct demonstrations involving Electra’s hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft. The goal is to examine the possibilities of novel aircraft operations to transform regional mobility networks, unlocking capabilities not possible with conventional aircraft or even helicopters. The demonstration flights will focus on several use cases, including integration of ultra-short operations at existing short runways, the use of novel access points such as parking lots or fields to support underserved communities, and the ability to feed services into major hub airports without adding congestion.
Phased Test Programme
Testing will be carried out in phases, progressing from operations at smaller airports in Northern Norway to testing from novel access points, and finally to operations feeding into a major Norwegian aviation hub. The aim is to commence test operations in mid-2027.
Key Stakeholder Statements
Norwegian Minister of Transport, Jon-Ivar Nygård, stated:
“This project marks a new step in the further development of Norway’s international test arena for zero- and low-emission aviation. The test arena is an important instrument in preparing aviation for new technologies.”
Dave Stepanek, Bristow Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, added:
“With over 75 years of operating experience, Bristow knows what it takes to turn promising technology into practical operations. That is what makes our work with Electra so important.”
Diana Siegel, Vice President of Commercial Programs at Electra, commented:
“Electra’s hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft opens the door to lowering emissions and new connectivity beyond the limits of traditional aircraft. Realizing that potential requires the right ecosystem.”
Karianne Helland Strand, EVP Sustainability and Infrastructure at Avinor, said:
“As the owner and operator of airports and airspace infrastructure, Avinor’s role is to facilitate real-world testing — both in the air and on the ground.”
Director General Lars Kobberstad of CAA Norway concluded:
“A key task for CAA Norway will be to obtain the necessary approvals for these trials to be conducted within our established regulatory sandbox. We will be able to further improve our safety model for managing risks in an innovation setting.”
