Avinor and VINCI Airports lead the way with landmark electric flights

octubre 1, 2025

Avinor and VINCI Airports are taking bold steps to accelerate the transition to zero- and low-emission aviation, with two landmark test projects recently highlighting the sector’s commitment to innovation and decarbonisation.

VINCI Airports and the Elektro Tour

VINCI Airports proudly partnered with the Elektro Tour, which marked the first-ever crossing of the English Channel in a fully certified 100% electric aircraft, the Pipistrel Velis Electro. The pioneering journey began at Lyon-Bron Airport on 1 July, reached London Gatwick on 9 July, and concluded in Annecy on 25 July.

Nine airports within the VINCI Airports network hosted stages of the tour, each of them accredited under the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme for their ongoing efforts to measure, manage, and reduce carbon emissions. These included Lyon-Bron, London Gatwick, Rennes Bretagne (Level 3), Saint-Nazaire Montoir (Level 3), Nantes Atlantique (Level 4), Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne (Level 3), Grenoble Alpes Isère (Level 3), Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc (Level 3), and Annecy Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc (Level 2).

VINCI Airports has already achieved over a 50% reduction in scopes 1 and 2 emissions since 2018 and is targeting a two-thirds reduction by 2030. By hosting the Elektro Tour, VINCI Airports is not only supporting innovative, low-carbon flight technologies but also demonstrating how airports can actively promote the deployment of electric aviation across their networks. The project was led by a team of young aeronautics enthusiasts aged 17 to 23, underscoring the role of youth in shaping aviation’s sustainable future.

Avinor and the ALIA test flight

In Norway, Avinor and the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority have positioned the country as an international testbed for zero- and low-emission aviation. This ambition took a significant step forward when the fully electric ALIA aircraft, manufactured by US-based BETA Technologies and operated by Bristow Norway, successfully completed a test flight from Stavanger Airport (Level 3).

The aircraft is scheduled to begin cargo test flights between Stavanger and Bergen (Level 3) this autumn. In the meantime, it made a stop in Arendal during Arendal Week, where spectators had the opportunity to see the future of aviation in action. “We hope everyone who has the opportunity will take the chance to get a quick look at the future of aviation,” said Abraham Foss, CEO of Avinor.

The journeys of the Pipistrel Velis Electro across Europe and the ALIA aircraft in Norway show that progress towards zero-emission aviation is gathering pace. With airport operators like VINCI and Avinor leading the way, the sector is taking tangible steps towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for air travel.