The skies above Luxembourg saw a historic first this week: an all-electric aircraft landed in Findel, part of a European tour by U.S. company Beta Technologies.
The electric revolution has reached Luxembourg’s skies. As part of a European tour, U.S. company Beta Technologies made a stop at Findel airport with its all-electric aircraft, the first of its kind ever to land in the Grand Duchy. Findel is no stranger to aviation traffic, but this newcomer stood out.
Electric aviation offers a number of advantages: “Traditional aircraft always have the same range,” explains Matthew Colby of Beta Technologies. “With electric aviation, just by replacing a few small components, which are constantly improving, we can significantly extend the aircraft's range without needing to redesign the entire plane.”
Currently, the plane’s battery charges in just 40 minutes, allowing for up to two hours of flight or about 450 kilometers. That number is expected to rise as battery technology progresses.
Pilot Ted Dudley, who has flown for both the U.S. Air Force and commercial airlines, says. “It’s really fun to fly, the visibility is great, almost like in a helicopter. It’s a beautiful experience,” he said.
Luxembourg’s Sigma Air Mobility, a subsidiary of Luxaviation, is working alongside Beta Technologies to help integrate this innovation into real-world operations, and make sure the infrastructure is ready.
“Just because it’s a new type of aircraft doesn’t mean it should fly on every route,” says Christophe Lapierre, CEO of Sigma Air Mobility. “We need to find the right markets and determine the right uses. This isn’t about replacing all mobility, but filling a strategic gap between commercial flights and logistics.”
Beta’s aircraft, which comes in cargo and passenger versions, has already attracted substantial interest, with around 300 orders placed, including by major airlines and freight companies. If all goes to plan, the plane will be certified and commercially available as early as 2026.
