SAS and the aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, have signed a letter of intent to jointly research the development and introduction of electrically powered aircraft.
This is the first time an airline has collaborated with an aircraft manufacturer in this way.
Initially, it will only be a joint research project to build knowledge about opportunities and challenges related to operation and infrastructure when introducing hybrid and electric aircraft into commercial traffic on a large scale. The project will start in June and will continue until 2020.
“We are proud of our ambitious work on sustainable flights, and are delighted that Airbus has chosen SAS as a partner in this future project that has the potential to revolutionise the lessening of harmful emissions from aircraft” said SAS CEO, Gustafson in a press release.
SAS have been working toward reduced emissions and more sustainable flights for decades. The goal is to reduce emissions by 25%. SAS is looking at electric aircraft as the next step in today’s technology.
“It is a good news for Airbus that SAS will contribute with its extensive knowledge and be part of the journey towards the future of aircraft in the field of electricity and hybrid technology” said Grazia Vittadini, technology director for Airbus.
According to Teknisk Ukeblad journal, the project work will mainly take place in Stockholm and Toulouse, where SAS and Airbus will meet regularly in the coming eighteen months.
‘’We need to find out how hybrid electric aircraft can be used in operation, what is required of infrastructure at the airports, and gain assurance that the energy is renewable. We are very pleased to be able to test some ideas in the real world, this is the next step towards our goal, which is to bring zero emission technology to aviation’’ said Airbus Electrification Manager, Glenn Llewellyn, to Teknisk Ukeblad.
SAS is a good customer for Airbus and has almost 70 different Airbus aircraft in its fleet.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
