Rolls-Royce and airframer Tecnam have joined forces with Widerøe, Scandinavia’s largest regional airline, to deliver an all-electric aircraft for the commuter market. The aircraft is expected to be enter passenger revenue service in 2026.
On Thursday (March 11, 2021), Rolls-Royce announced that in collaboration with airframer Tecnam, they will join forces with Widerøe, the largest regional carrier in Scandinavia, to deliver an all-electric aircraft for passenger revenue service by 2026. The project expands the existing research program between Rolls-Royce and Widerøe on sustainable aviation, as well as the partnership between Rolls-Royce and Tecnam on powering the all-electric P-Volt aircraft. In Thursday’s announcement, Widerøe’s Chief Executive, Stein Nilsen, said,
“Norway’s extensive network of short take-off and landing airports is ideal for zero emissions technologies. This aircraft shows how quickly new technology can and will be developed, and that we are on track with our ambition of flying with zero emissions around 2025.”
Also commenting on the expanded partnership, Rolls-Royce Electrical’s Director, Rob Watson, added,
“Electrification will help us deliver our ambition to enable the markets in which we operate achieve net zero carbon by 2050. This collaboration strengthens our existing relationships with Tecnam and Widerøe as we look to explore what is needed to deliver an all-electric passenger aircraft for the commuter market. It also demonstrates Rolls-Royce’s ambitions to be the leading supplier of all-electric and hybrid electric propulsion and power systems across multiple aviation markets.”
The program will cover all aspects of the development and delivery of an all-electric aircraft to the Norwegian market by 2026, with Rolls-Royce bringing expertise in propulsion and power systems and Tecnam’s aircraft design, manufacturing and certification capabilities. Widerøe will ensure that all competences and requirements of an air operator are in place for entry into passenger revenue service in 2026.
Further commenting on the collaboration, Widerøe’s Chief Strategy Officer, Andreas Aks, said,
“We are highly excited to be offered the role as launch operator, but also humble about the challenges of putting the world’s first zero emissions aircraft into service. Our mission is to have all new capabilities, processes and procedures required for a zero emissions operator, designed and approved in parallel with the aircraft being developed and certified.”
Tecnam’s Chief Project R&D and Product Development, Fabio Russo, added,
“It is incredible to see the interest around the P-Volt, not only coming from regional airlines, but also from smart mobility-based companies. This last year has demonstrated the importance of promoting capillary connections between small communities, while reducing the congestion of the main hubs. The P-Volt, like the P2012 Traveller today, will perfectly fit the scope of this programme. We are honoured and pleased to see the level of enthusiasm Widerøe and our partner Rolls-Royce are dedicating to this project.”
Prior to the pandemic, Widerøe operated around 400 daily flights using a network of 44 airports, where 74 percent of flights were less than 275 km, with some flights between seven and 15 minutes. The new all-electric P-Volt, which is based on Tecnam’s 11-seat P2012 Traveller, will be ideal fort short takeoff and landings, as well as routes in the North and West Coast of Norway.
Source: Rolls-Royce