BETA Technologies has reached a historic milestone with the delivery of its first ALIA CX300 electric conventional take-off and landing (e-CTOL) aircraft to Bristow Norway AS, a subsidiary of the Bristow Group. Designed for short-hop regional travel, the ALIA CX300 is an innovative addition to sustainable aviation, capable of carrying five passengers and a pilot up to 300 nautical miles on a single charge, with one-hour battery top-ups. The aircraft arrival at Stavanger Airport marks the beginning of Norway’s “Test Arena for Zero & Low Emission Aviation,” a project set to evaluate next-generation aircraft and routes for zero-emission air travel in the Nordic region.
The ALIA CX300 undertook an extensive demonstration tour across seven European countries, trekking 6,976 km (4,335 miles) and showcasing its capabilities to potential customers and innovative aviation stakeholders. Upon its arrival in Norway, the aircraft launched its first Bristow-operated test flight, conducted by a pilot trained at BETA’s Vermont headquarters. In the coming months, Bristow pilots and maintenance personnel will perform additional demonstration flights in partnership with Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway to assess regulatory readiness, operational efficiency, and customer routes. Initial flights will focus on short-haul connections between Stavanger and Bergen airports, with plans to expand the route network as the evaluation progresses.
The delivery of the ALIA CX300 highlights a significant step forward for electric aviation and underscores BETA Technologies’ commitment to a sustainable future. With an environmentally-friendly design and drastically reduced operating costs—estimated at only $18 per flight hour—the ALIA CX300 is poised to be a game-changer for regional transport. “This delivery is a major milestone, but it’s also a launchpad for what’s next in the industry,” said Shawn Hall, BETA’s Chief Revenue Officer. Norway, known for its pioneering spirit in adopting green aviation technologies, serves as the ideal proving ground for this ambitious project, setting the stage for a transformative shift in sustainable air travel.
📷: BETA TECHNOLOGIES
